Category: English

I had been in a five-year relationship, and my fiancé, Charlie Atkinson, had never once given me a surprise. But on our anniversary, he had a pair of couple’s diamond rings and a box of liquor-filled chocolates delivered to me. I was allergic to alcohol, but I was still ecstatic and immediately posted it on Twitter. And then, his first love, Beatrice Chapman, left a comment: [Looks like some people treasure the trash I threw away.] It turned out that this “surprise” was originally meant for her. I decided to return the gift in person, only to walk in on the two of them, disheveled and tightly embracing. Charlie’s face darkened, and he scolded me viciously. “You’re always so paranoid. Beatrice and I were just talking about work. “Why are you always imagining things? If I were really with Beatrice, do you think I’d still be engaged to you?” In the past, I would’ve screamed, demanded answers, and lost control. But this time, I remained calm. I simply said, “You two are a perfect match. Congratulations.” ***** The couple’s diamond rings rolled to a stop at Charlie’s feet. He glared at me, sneering, completely indifferent. “Melany Robinson, what drama are you pulling now? “If you still want me to marry you, stop making a scene. Go home!” I ignored his insults. My gaze fell on the rings at his feet, and a bitter irony crept into my heart. He kept promising to marry me, but he had never bought a ring for me. Yet here he was, ordering a custom pair for another woman. When I got home, I posted on Twitter again. This time, I attached a photo from Beatrice’s profile of the two of them locked in an intimate embrace. I wrote just one sentence: [I’m letting you go. We’re done.] The post quickly gained traction, and friends and family started reaching out, but I didn’t respond to anyone. Meanwhile, the wedding planning group chat exploded. Charlie’s mother, Tiana Atkinson, tagged me directly, demanding: [Melany, what’s the meaning of your Twitter post?] I didn’t mince words and responded: [Your son cheated. I’m not getting married.] Charlie, who usually ignored group chats, replied instantly this time. He attached a picture of himself at work and wrote: [I’m at the office with my colleagues. Everything’s fine.] I calmly dropped all the incriminating photos Beatrice had posted onto the group chat. I asked: [Since when do colleagues hug and cling to each other like that?] [Charlie, don’t think you can fool me.] Even faced with undeniable evidence, Charlie still tried to shift the blame onto me. Charlie: [Melany, just because I’m not rich enough for you doesn’t mean you have to smear me like this.] [Didn’t you spend my money partying with other men at bars? I let it slide because I thought marriage would settle you down, but clearly, you’re insatiable.] I laughed out loud. I couldn’t believe how shameless he was. Right then, my father called. “You disgraceful woman! What have you done? Do you know how much embarrassment you’ve caused me? “Go and apologize to Charlie immediately! If you can’t marry into the Atkinson family, don’t bother coming back!” I pressed my lips together tightly, a bitter taste rising in my throat. My mother had passed away when I was young, and my father had never liked me. I had never felt an ounce of love from him growing up. In his eyes, my only value was marrying into a wealthy family. Every man I met was worse than the last. I thought my life would never improve, but later, I met Charlie. At first, he didn’t belittle me like he did now. He didn’t appraise me with that disgusting, objectifying gaze. But somewhere along the line, he changed. He stopped being kind and attentive. His words became sharp, his attitude cutting. I told myself he was just under too much pressure and tried to understand him. I swallowed my grievances and endured it all because I loved him. But I never thought the man I loved would become so repulsive. Now, I understood. Maybe this was who Charlie had always been. I had just been too blinded by love to see it. This time, I didn’t want to keep this relationship. As I packed my bags, Charlie finally came home. I didn’t plan to acknowledge him. He glanced at me with indifference as if the argument earlier in the day had never happened. “I’m hungry. Make me a sandwich.” I ignored him completely. His expression darkened. “Melany, you’re pushing it. Stop throwing a tantrum. “You’re mad because I didn’t celebrate our anniversary properly, right? I brought you cake. Stop saying I don’t care about you.” He shoved a slice of cake toward me. I glanced at it coldly and felt a wave of nausea. Not long ago, I’d seen Beatrice’s Twitter post. The diamond rings, the chocolates, the cake… Everything had been painstakingly prepared to win her over. And this cake was their leftovers. I tossed it straight into the trash and said calmly, “I’m not a beggar. I don’t need someone else’s scraps. “And I’m not a shelter. I won’t keep putting up with trash like you.”

The moment Charlie heard my words, his face darkened. “Melany, what’s that supposed to mean? “And you still have the nerve to scold me? Did you forget that I’ve been paying for all your expenses these past few years? I’ve been the one supporting you!” A sharp pain pricked at my heart, and I almost wanted to argue back. But when I saw the arrogance in Charlie’s eyes, the scornful, dismissive look, I suddenly felt exhausted. I realized that arguing with him was pointless now. It was my unconditional love that had emboldened him to behave this way. He had forgotten that it was me who stood by his side, helping him build his business so he could have the success he enjoyed today. I had never demanded wealth from him, nor had I cared about whether my sacrifices would pay off. All I wanted was to create a warm and happy home with him. Later, when he finally succeeded, he told me he didn’t want me to work so hard anymore. He asked me to quit my job and stay home to take care of our little home. He promised me he would marry me, and said he would give me a grand wedding. But in the end, his promises were worthless. Now, his eyes were filled with contempt and disdain whenever he looked at me. I had become nothing more than an “unreasonable, useless housewife”, in his words. Charlie’s arrogance stemmed from the belief that I owed him for his financial support. But he didn’t know that in the past five years, I hadn’t spent a single penny of his. Everything I used came from the savings I earned through part-time work in my free time. I took a deep breath and said, “Fine. You’re absolutely right.” I didn’t want to waste energy arguing anymore. I turned and continued packing my suitcase. Charlie’s expression darkened with displeasure, and he grabbed me by the arm. “Where do you think you’re going?” I shook off his hand and replied coldly, “I’m moving out tomorrow. Like I said, we’re done.” Upon hearing this, Charlie’s face twisted with anger. His voice rose in agitation. “Melany, are you joking? The wedding…” “I’m not joking!” I cut him off firmly before he could finish. “Charlie, are you still pretending at this point? If you can’t get over your first love, just say so. I’m not someone who clings to the past.” Charlie frowned deeply, but there wasn’t a trace of guilt in his eyes. Instead, he defended himself. “Beatrice and I are over. We’re just colleagues now. “As for those tweets and the gifts, they were nothing more than friendly gestures between coworkers. “I already told you, if there was really something between us, why would I bother marrying you?” As he spoke, he pulled out an exquisite little box from his pocket. Inside was a ring. “This is the wedding ring I carefully chose for you. I told you before that whatever others have, you’ll have, too. “You’ve always dreamed of us having our little home together, right? I want that, too. But now, just because of your baseless accusations, are you really going to deny everything we’ve built together?” I stood there, stunned and silent. My gaze fell on the ring in his hand, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of hesitation. I thought, “Did I overthink things?” Seeing that I hadn’t responded, Charlie didn’t get angry. Instead, his tone softened. “I shouldn’t have said those harsh words earlier. You should get some rest. I’ll head back to the office tonight.” With that, he gave me a light hug. Before I could say anything, he turned and walked out the door. The apartment fell silent again. I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Charlie’s words echoed in my mind over and over. I admitted that I still couldn’t let go of him. If he could truly change, I would be willing to forgive everything from the past. But that night, my sleep was restless. The next morning, I woke up to find a strawberry cake, my favorite, on the table. Beneath the cake was a small note written by Charlie. Charlie: [This cake is for you. Things are busy at work these days, but I’ll make it up to you soon.] I was caught off guard by the sudden change in his attitude. But I still smiled. Then came a loud, urgent knock at the door. It was immediately followed by the sound of two familiar male voices. “Melany! Open the door, now!” At that moment, a wave of irritation washed over me. My father had arrived, and he’d brought my younger brother, Cullen Robinson, with him.

I knew exactly why they were here. And I didn’t want to face them. But the knocking on the door grew louder, their voices more impatient. I knew they wouldn’t leave unless they saw me. So, I opened the door. “Dad…” I greeted him wearily, my voice flat and emotionless. The moment he saw me, he began to yell. “You idiot! Not answering your phone, ignoring my messages… What do you think you’re doing? Charlie’s such a catch! What more could you possibly want? And now you’re even thinking about calling off the wedding! “Do you have any shame? Sneaking off to drink with other men behind Charlie’s back? You’re disgusting!” I sighed and tried to explain, “Dad, it’s not what you think. This is between Charlie and me. He’s the one…” “I don’t care!” He cut me off sharply before I could finish. “You’d better stop this nonsense right now! Charlie’s willing to marry you, so you’re going to behave yourself and marry him!” “Exactly, Melany.” My younger brother Cullen chimed in, leaning lazily against the wall. He exhaled a puff of smoke, his tone casual. “You’re already engaged. What’s there to fuss about? “Besides, the money Charlie set aside for the wedding? I already used it to buy my car. You’re not backing out now, no way.” He raised an eyebrow, his smirk turning smug as he said, “Actually, why don’t you talk to Charlie for me? Get me a little more. I’m thinking of buying an apartment in the city.” I chuckled dryly and gave him a cold look, “I can’t help you. That’s his money, not mine.” “What are you talking about?” My father’s glare sharpened as his tone grew harsher. “Cullen’s your brother! Once you marry Charlie, we’ll all be family. And once you’re his wife, isn’t everything he has yours too? “Anyway, you’d better go apologize to Charlie. You’re marrying him, end of story! If you even think about canceling the wedding, I’ll die right here in front of you!” I felt drained. They weren’t interested in hearing me out, not even for a second. They only cared about pressuring me into making a decision. They’d been like this since I was a child. My feelings didn’t matter. The sacrifices I’d made didn’t matter. All they cared about was wringing every ounce of value out of me. I took a deep breath and said calmly, “I understand…” Satisfied with my response, they finally left me alone. When they were gone, I let out a long sigh of relief. I sat at the dining table, staring at the cake in front of me. My body felt heavy, my mind even more so. In the end, I gave in. I chose to bow my head and compromise. I decided I would find a time to sit down with Charlie and talk things through. If everything really were just a misunderstanding, I would marry him. But I hadn’t expected how naive I still was. Reality hit me hard. One day, as I was tidying up the apartment, I stumbled across a property deed tucked in a corner of the bookshelf. The address on it was for a unit in the apartment complex next door. Confused, I looked at the name listed under “Owner” and froze. It wasn’t Charlie’s name. It was Beatrice’s. My breath caught in my throat. A ridiculous thought flashed through my mind, one I didn’t want to believe. But the truth was undeniable. That apartment was a gift from Charlie to Beatrice. I stared at the document, struggling to process it. Images of the intimate photos Beatrice had posted on Twitter flooded my mind. I instinctively reached for my phone, wanting to call Charlie and confront him. I tried several times, but he didn’t pick up. After a long wait, he finally texted me back. [I was in a meeting. I’m busy today. Let’s talk later.] I took a photo of the property deed, ready to send it to him. But just as I was about to send, I hesitated. I exited the chat window, saved the photo to my phone, and carefully put the deed back where I found it. Then, I went to the apartment complex next door. When I reached the door of that unit, I froze. Charlie, who had told me he was at work, was standing there, knocking on Beatrice’s door.   The door swung open almost immediately. Beatrice stood there in a thin, revealing nightgown, her cheeks flushed and her voice playful, almost syrupy. “There you are. I’ve been waiting forever.” Charlie grinned, pulling her into his arms. “My bad. I’ll make it up to you in a bit.” He leaned in, pressing a deep, eager kiss to her lips. Beatrice giggled, gently pushing him away as if chastising him. “You’re just as bad as ever.” Charlie raised an eyebrow, his smirk turning mischievous. “Oh, I can be worse. Want to find out?” Without waiting for her reply, he swept her off her feet and carried her inside, slamming the door shut behind them. I stood there, frozen. Slowly, I lowered my phone. Step by step, I dragged my stiff body forward. Inside, their voices, laughter, whispers, and more spilled out clearly through the door. His ragged breaths mixed with her soft, teasing moans, peppered with words I wished I hadn’t heard. My legs locked in place. I covered my mouth, a wave of nausea crashing over me. When I looked down, my gaze landed on a trash bag by the door. My heart sank. Two used condoms sat conspicuously atop the bag. I didn’t need to guess who they belonged to. At that moment, clarity hit me, sharp and cruel. My earlier hesitation, my moments of doubt… They all felt laughable now. Charlie’s “late nights at work” were nothing more than passionate evenings with Beatrice. I didn’t know when they had started this. All I knew was that I had been a fool, left completely in the dark. The signs had always been there. Beatrice’s provocations were never subtle. But I had believed Charlie’s clumsy excuses. I finally understood why he kept delaying our wedding. Memories rushed back, one in particular, from four years ago. It happened when we had been dating for six months. I had just returned from a business trip, eager to surprise him. However, I overheard him talking with his friends. They teased him, saying I was better than Beatrice because I had helped him move on so quickly. But Charlie had dismissed it with chilling indifference. “No one compares to Beatrice.” Even so, I hadn’t given up. I believed that one day, he would see my sincerity. But I had forgotten one crucial thing. Someone who didn’t love you would never care, no matter how much you did. Looking at it now, I realized that this marriage I had hoped for was unnecessary. I didn’t even remember how I got home. Back in my apartment, I packed my things and booked a flight abroad, determined to leave that very night. But fate had other plans. I ran into Beatrice again. I tried to walk past her, ignoring her completely. But she called out to me. Arms crossed, she leaned against the wall, her tone dripping with mockery. “I heard you and Charlie are getting married. Congratulations.” I lifted my gaze to meet hers. My eyes caught the faint marks on her neck, red and unmistakably intimate. A wave of revulsion surged within me. My voice was cold. “What do you want to say?” I knew her well enough to sense the malice beneath her feigned politeness. Beatrice arched an eyebrow, her lips pulling up into a smug smile. “Just that. Congratulations! You’ve finally got what you wanted.” She gave my shoulder a light pat, her tone full of mock sympathy. “Charlie’s lucky to have someone as selfless as you.” With that, she turned to leave. I took a deep breath and called after her, my voice calm. “Beatrice.” She paused, glancing back. “What?” The sound of a slap echoed in the corridor as my palm connected with her cheek. Beatrice froze, staring at me in shock, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Melany, are you crazy?” She raised a hand as if to strike back, then hesitated and let it fall. Covering her face, she adopted an air of helplessness, tears brimming in her eyes. “Beatrice!” A worried voice called out behind me. “Get away from her!” A large hand shoved me aside, and Charlie rushed past me to her side. I stumbled, my body lurching forward. Before I could catch myself, I tumbled down the stairs. Pain shot through me as I hit the bottom. Blood trickled from a gash on my forehead, my limbs throbbing from the fall. But Charlie didn’t even glance my way. He was too busy cradling Beatrice’s reddened cheek, his voice soft with concern. “Are you okay? Let me take you home and get this taken care of.” With that, he wrapped an arm around her and led her away, leaving me there without a second thought. I dragged myself up, my body aching, and went to the hospital on my own. After getting treated, I headed straight to the airport. While waiting for my flight, I opened my phone. Using Charlie’s account, I sent his colleagues everything, including the full story of us, evidence of his affair with Beatrice… As I stood at the gate, ready to board, my phone lit up with calls and messages pouring in nonstop.

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On my son Jasper Williams’ birthday, I personally prepared a feast, but my husband Henry Williams was late in bringing him back home. Just as I was about to call and ask, I received a photo from Jasper on his phone watch. “Look, my dad and the gentle Edith match so well. She isn’t a tomboy like you!” That night, they went to the theme park with Edith White and didn’t come back until the next morning. I sat alone at the dining table and finished the food by myself. This time, I decided to give up on my husband and son. ***** “Henry, let’s get a divorce.” I slammed the divorce agreement on the table, my tone icy. Henry, wearing an apron, seemed not to hear me and continued mopping the floor. I repeated myself again. Seeing he ignored me, I snatched the mop from his hands. “I’m talking to you. Are you even listening?” I had enough. Henry and Jasper treated me like air all day long. Henry ripped off his apron and tossed it on the table. “You want to divorce me over this small matter? “Jasper isn’t a robot. He just wanted to eat some fried chicken and have some fun at the amusement park. “I was just fulfilling Jasper’s wish. Is that wrong?” Henry stared at me with disgust as if I were a great sinner. Jasper had been weak since birth. The doctor specifically advised that his diet must be balanced and should not include fried food. He was also prone to bacterial allergies. With so many people at the amusement park, the chances of him getting sick were high. I had a thousand thoughts in my mind, but nothing came out. I realized they were not wrong. I was the one at fault. It was my stupidity to fall in love with Henry and give birth to an ungrateful son. I rubbed my temples. “Just sign the papers.” “Fine, you want a divorce, right? I’ve had enough of being a stay-at-home husband! “In other families, the men are in charge. Why should I be the one trapped in this home?” I couldn’t help but smirk sarcastically. He had once complained about how hard work was, begging me to support him. When I took on the burden of supporting the family alone, he said I looked down on him. Men were truly ungrateful. Jasper seemed to hear our argument and rushed out of the room, hugging Henry. “Dad, I want to be with you.” I maintained a stoic expression, as I had long expected this situation. To manage Jasper’s health, I was always strict with him while Henry played the gentle one. In Jasper’s eyes, Henry was the perfect dad. Hearing Jasper’s words, Henry looked at me with pride. He hugged Jasper and declared loudly, “From now on, I’ll earn money to support Jasper myself.” Henry had been out of work for so many years, not realizing that the job market was completely different now. But I didn’t remind him, just nodded. “Okay.” Hearing I agreed so readily, Henry and Jasper were stunned for a moment. But thinking of the freedom within reach, they soon beamed with joy. Henry quickly signed the divorce agreement. Fourteen years of marriage ended in just a few strokes. I left this house to them. I picked up the divorce agreement and returned to my room to pack my things. It was somewhat amusing. Every item in this home was bought with my money. Yet my personal belongings were so few that they fit into a single suitcase. As I exited with my suitcase, I saw Edith had bought a big bucket of fried chicken for Jasper. Chicken crumbs scattered all over the carpet. Jasper intentionally waved the drumstick in his hand. I pretended not to see and headed for the door with my suitcase. But Jasper shouted, “From now on, Edith will be my mom! You tomboy, after the divorce, surely no one will want you.” Saying this, he threw the bone in his hand at my head. I turned around and smiled at him. Jasper was taken aback. Then, in front of Edith, I stuffed all the fried chicken legs into Jasper’s mouth. “Don’t you love to eat that? Then I’ll let you eat your fill.” Jasper’s mouth was stuffed full, and he whimpered a couple of times before bursting into tears. Henry heard the commotion and rushed out of the kitchen, quickly taking the fried chicken from Jasper’s mouth. Then he glared coldly at me. “Get lost!” In front of him, I smashed everything in the house that could be broken. It was all mine. I wouldn’t let them use it even if I broke it all. I glanced back. The three of them stood closely together, like a family.

I carried my suitcase to the spacious apartment that I had bought earlier. The apartment had been renovated a year ago, and I initially intended to give it to Jasper as it was near the best high school. Now, it turned out to be a saving. I had just laid down, not yet calming my emotions, when I received a call from my stepmother, Tracy Flynn. She said she wanted to bring her son over to stay with me for some time. My mom passed away when I was very young. My dad, being a rough man who couldn’t care for a girl, married Tracy to take care of me. Tracy had a kind personality and got along well with me, almost like a friend. Later, she had a son with my dad named Andy Flynn. I tidied up the house. Before long, Tracy arrived with Andy. Tracy dressed very fashionably and immediately gave me a big hug. “Sweetheart, long time no see.” Andy also greeted me obediently. I nodded and asked Tracy, “Why didn’t my dad come?” She pouted, “Don’t you know? Your dad, that fishing enthusiast, would rather stay by his fishing pond every day.” I chuckled and invited them to sit on the sofa. I had originally planned to get them two bottles of water right away, but then I remembered something and asked Andy, “Andy, do you want some Coke?” He shook his head. “Thank you. But water is fine.” I secretly praised him for being such a health-conscious child. Tracy casually said, “Don’t spoil him. Just drink whatever you have.” I told Tracy about my divorce from Henry. She wholeheartedly agreed. Tracy gulped down some water and burped. “That man is a coward. It’s a good thing. “You have money and no man or child to burden you. Aren’t you thrilled!” Andy looked at Tracy. Tracy smiled sheepishly, “I didn’t mean you burdened me. I was just making an example.” I laughed. I rarely felt such a relaxed atmosphere when I was with Henry and Jasper. Most of the time, they would wear stern faces, listing all the things I did wrong and how I was too controlling. “By the way, Catherine, I need to discuss something with you.” Tracy suddenly sat up, blinking her big eyes at me. Every time she had a favor to ask, it was this way. I rolled my eyes at her. “Go ahead, what is it?” Tracy cleared her throat intentionally. “Andy’s school is holding a parent-child sports day next week, and parents must attend. “You know, I just scored concert tickets a few days ago. What a coincidence, they clash with the sports day.” So, Tracy unhesitatingly chose the concert. I pretended to be in a difficult position. “But that day…” Tracy gritted her teeth and pulled out her newly bought watch from her bag. I quickly took it. “Deal!” She gritted her teeth. “Catherine, you are too calculating!” I lowered my gaze and smiled, “Thank you for the compliment.” We hadn’t chatted for long when Tracy grabbed her bag and headed to leave. I asked, “Aren’t you going to stay overnight?” Tracy smiled sheepishly again. She had already arranged a trip with her good friends. She made up an excuse to borrow my place but actually wanted me to take care of Andy. Tracy vowed, “I’ll treat you to a big meal when I get back!” I knew Andy was well-behaved and obedient, so I agreed. Soon, it was afternoon, and it was time to prepare dinner. To entertain Andy, I decided to cook another meal myself. Just as I picked up the kitchen knife, he took it from me. “Catherine, I can handle it.” I lay back on the sofa, unable to help but sigh. Tracy really taught Andy well. He was sensible and cooperative. On the day of the sports event, I carefully put together an outfit for Andy. Suddenly, a hurried ringtone sounded. It was Henry calling. I glanced quickly and was about to hang up, but the voice assistant connected the call by itself. Henry’s anxious voice came through. “Jasper has a stomach ache. You need to come back and take a look.”

Before I could respond, the voice assistant answered automatically, “Call a doctor. What does that have to do with me?” I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Henry fell silent for a moment. “Catherine, Jasper is your son. How can you be so heartless?” This time, the voice assistant didn’t get a chance to speak before I lazily replied, “Henry, if I remember correctly, we are already divorced. He is your son, not mine. “Besides, doesn’t he have a new mom now? You can go to her.” He seemed to want to say something else, but I immediately hung up and blocked his number. If it weren’t for his call, I would have forgotten about him altogether. Just to be safe, I blocked all his other contact methods as well. Andy dressed himself in a white sports outfit. I nodded approvingly. “You look clean and neat, very good!” When I arrived at Andy’s school, I realized he attended the same school as Jasper. I thought I had not been paying enough attention to Andy. Feeling this, I lightly patted his shoulder in embarrassment. Andy looked at me in confusion. “It’s nothing. Let’s check the bulletin board for the list.” Andy and I arrived at the sports field, and I immediately saw Jasper and Edith not far away. Edith smiled brightly as she held Jasper close, as intimate as if they were mother and son. I turned my gaze away and didn’t look at them anymore. But when Jasper saw us, he stormed over angrily. He pointed at Andy beside me and shouted, “Who is he? My dad called you, and you didn’t come back. Was it because of him?” Tracy hated Henry, so she hadn’t brought Andy to my house. She even said not to bring Henry and Jasper home during the holidays. Therefore, Jasper had never met Andy. I didn’t want to talk to Jasper. I grabbed Andy and started to leave, but Jasper wouldn’t let it go. He had a pale face. “He can’t possibly be your illegitimate child, right? No wonder you divorced my dad. Turns out you have another…” I slapped Jasper. “Jasper, do you have no manners at all?” Jasper glared at me fiercely. “You hit me for this bastard? This bastard can’t compare to me!” He looked Andy up and down several times. “For a weakling like him, how dare he participate in the competition? I’ll make sure you and this bastard lose badly.” After saying that, he dragged Edith away. Edith even turned back to me and smiled provocatively. I glanced at Andy. “How do you do in sports?” He replied, “Okay, I guess.” By the end of the competition, I realized Andy had been too modest. He was clearly an exceptional athlete. I had been working out for years, so Andy and I worked well together and successfully claimed first place. But since Edith ran slowly, Jasper and she ended up in last place. Jasper’s face looked extremely bad, and he ignored Edith when she tried to talk to him. Perhaps it was because of the dopamine released after exercising. I felt exceptionally joyful as if I had never been this happy before. Andy went to the convenience store to buy two bottles of water, but when he turned around, he couldn’t see me and started looking around. I waved at him. “Dear, I’m over here.” But Jasper also ran over. Andy looked at him curiously and handed the water to me. It was then that Jasper realized I had not been calling him. His face turned red with anger. “Not only do you have an illegitimate child, but you also call him dear?” Jasper was breathing heavily, his face turning red and green. I suddenly noticed that his reaction seemed not just due to anger. He was having an allergic reaction. With so many people at the sports day and after sweating, germs had taken advantage of him. Edith was still busy taking selfies with her phone. I kindly reminded her, “Jasper seems to be having an allergic reaction.” Edith glanced over and casually said, “It’s normal for young kids to have a red face after exercising.”   After saying that, she went to another corner to take selfies. This was Jasper’s idea of a “good mom”. I looked at Jasper with some sarcasm and took Andy away. Jasper felt itchy all over. When he saw I was leaving, he panicked. “Hey, aren’t you going to take care of me?” “What does that have to do with me? Go and find your mom.” I ignored him and walked out of the school gate, where I spotted Henry’s car not far away. Seeing me come out, he rolled down the window and looked at me. “Do you want me to give you a ride?” His car was still the one I bought. I pulled Andy along and got into my new car, driving away. After the concert, Tracy, like a runaway horse, went abroad to play. I knew it would be a long time before I could enjoy her promised feast. Andy moved in with me. Every time I came back from work, I was able to enjoy the meals he had prepared. I marveled at the kind of extravagant life Tracy was living. I even thought about letting Andy stay with me permanently. After dinner, I opened my phone, ready to handle some work-related matters. Suddenly, a voice call popped up, labeled “My dearest son”. I wondered if I had ever been that cheesy before. Without thinking, I hung up right away. After blocking Henry last time, I had forgotten to block Jasper. I treated them equally and blocked both of them. Finally, no one could bother me anymore. Andy finished washing the dishes and came out with grapes from the refrigerator. “Did someone just call you?” I bit my finger, staring at the notification just sent in the workgroup, casually answering, “Yeah, harassment call.” He looked puzzled. “But it sounded like a WhatsApp call.” After a while, I finally saw my name on the promotion list sent by the HR department. “Oh yes!” I jumped for joy and hugged Andy. “I got promoted! What do you want to eat? It’s on me!” He washed the grapes in his hands and cautiously said, “Grapes?” I was somewhat speechless. “Can’t you have some ambition?” “Then ten portions of grapes.” I gave up trying to ask Andy what he wanted. I opened my phone and made a reservation at a high-end restaurant days later. When Henry couldn’t reach me on the phone, he blocked my way on my way to the office. He gritted his teeth. “Catherine, you are too ruthless! You blocked all my contact methods. That’s impressive.” “Should I keep you in my contacts to annoy me?” I rolled my eyes at him and walked ahead. I still had to go to work. I cursed Henry under my breath for wasting my time and affecting my ability to earn money. But Henry didn’t notice my impatience at all. He followed me. “Jasper’s class is scheduled for an outdoor study next week, and it requires 50 thousand dollars.” I crossed my arms and scoffed, “Fifty thousand dollars? So what?” He rubbed his nose. “Did you think after our divorce, you’d be free of responsibilities? Legally, you have to pay for Andy’s support! “And to you, that’s just pocket change.” I shot back, “Didn’t you say you were going to make your own money?” Henry argued confidently, “Well, I need some time to adapt. Why do you react so strongly when it comes to money? As if I am always spending yours.” I opened my phone and scrolled through the bills. “You want to talk about money? Do you want me to calculate how much I’ve spent over the years?” Perhaps feeling guilty, Henry changed the subject. “You only know money. Edith is nothing like a vulgar woman like you.” I smiled faintly, “Is that so? Why don’t you take a look behind you?” “If you don’t want to give me money, just say so. What are you playing at?” Henry frowned and turned to look behind. Edith was leaning against the wall not far away, smoking and on the phone. She had a sinister smile on her face, different from her usual gentleness. “Let’s change our target. Henry is just a man who lives off women.”

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Adam West and Patrick West’s assistant, Audrey Crawford, suffered from aplastic anemia. To ensure that she had a blood supply available in the future, the two brothers had me, who had the same blood type as Audrey, donate blood to her for a week. After a week, Audrey brought a glass of orange juice to me. I slapped it out of her hand and insisted on leaving West Mansion. Adam and Patrick did not stop me. “Is it really that serious? Just drinking a glass of orange juice,” they asked. ***** I did not look back as I walked out of West Mansion. After a week of continuous blood donations, my steps became unstable the moment I left the house. Behind me, Patrick remarked, “You’re such a good actress. How much blood did you donate?” I understood at that moment that I was utterly weak. I stood still, holding onto a tree nearby. Adam said, “Considering you donated blood for Audrey, you can still turn back. If you do, we won’t hold it against you for knocking over Audrey’s orange juice.” But he seemed to have forgotten that I was allergic to orange juice. When my parents went to Briden to start a business, they were worried about me being unable to take care of my health. Thus, they sent me to live with Gary West, my father’s old friend. Once, I had some orange juice and got allergic all over. Adam held me and rushed me to the hospital immediately. Patrick had banned any oranges from the house ever since then. When I was hospitalized, others joked that I had two young boyfriends. But Patrick explained seriously, “Charlotte is a princess. A princess should have knights and princes by her side.” Adam nodded in agreement. As time went on, I became more reluctant to leave Seabay, unwilling to go to a place without Patrick and Adam. But now, seeing the two of them gently comforting Audrey, I bit down the discomfort and took a taxi. In the car, I touched the needle marks and bruises on my arm from the blood donation. I checked the calendar on my phone and then called my mother. “Mom, I want to go to Briden. Does our marriage contract with the Wilson family still stand?” It was time to let go of everything in Seabay. The childhood promises with my playmates could no longer be taken seriously.

After leaving West Mansion, I had nowhere else to go, so I returned to my old house. But Adam, Patrick, and Audrey still came to visit. Audrey wanted to thank me. I sneered inwardly. The maid at West Mansion had already informed her that I was allergic to orange juice, but she still handed me a glass of it. Now she wanted to thank me? When Audrey saw me, she shrank back like a frightened rabbit. Patrick frowned and scolded, “Charlotte, that’s enough. Stop scaring Audrey with that long face.” If this were the past, he would have pulled out my favorite dessert like magic, grinning and saying, “Lotte is magnanimous. Don’t mind this, okay?” But now, it seemed like he hadn’t even noticed my pale face from giving so much blood. “Audrey is here to apologize, Charlotte. Don’t hold a grudge against her. Don’t be so ungrateful and rude,” Patrick said. I coldly looked at Patrick and said, “Please leave my house.” Patrick’s expression instantly changed. He didn’t expect me, the usually obedient and understanding Charlotte, to act so cold. “It’s all my fault, Lotte. If you’re upset, take it out on me. Don’t take it out on Patrick,” Audrey said, her eyes misty with tears. It seemed like she had suffered some great injustice. But who was the one truly wronged? When I had a fever, Adam made me cook for Audrey. On a trip to the mountains, Adam and Patrick left me alone on a lonely mountain road to pick Audrey up from work. When Audrey fainted at work, Adam and Patrick forced me to donate blood for three days, just to ensure Audrey would have blood available in the future in case she fainted again. I had paid back my debt to the West family with seven days of scorching hot blood. From now on, there would be no more debt. With that thought, I dragged my weakened body to open the drawer beside my bed. Inside was the bracelet Adam had bought for me after winning his first case. He had said I was his lucky star. There were also the many heartfelt drawings that Patrick had made of my face. I threw all these things, which I had once cherished, into a bag at my feet, one by one. Each of them, just like Adam and Patrick, would disappear from my world. Patrick widened his eyes in disbelief and said, “Charlotte, have you gone mad? These are my drawings for you!” Adam pushed up his glasses and disapprovingly said, “Charlotte, can you stop acting like a child?” Patrick muttered in complaint, “Unbelievable! She threw my drawings out like trash.” I pushed Audrey, who was standing in the doorway, and threw everything outside. They were about to come forward to pick it all up when Audrey’s soft voice interrupted. “My ankle, I think I sprained it.” Adam and Patrick’s eyes immediately fixed on the delicate girl, whose voice was filled with pain. I and all the memories we once shared were now selectively ignored by them. I curled my lips into a self-deprecating smile. It shouldn’t have been me who was trapped in the past. They anxiously asked Audrey about her injury, and Audrey, feigning pain, said softly, “Don’t blame Lotte. She didn’t mean to push me.” Upon hearing this, Patrick clenched his fists. He looked at me, displeased, and shouted, “Charlotte, apologize to Audrey immediately.” I stood frozen in place, my nails digging into my palm, blood seeping from the punctures. Seeing that I wouldn’t apologize, Adam kicked the bag I had just packed down the stairs. “Charlotte, I’ll sue you for intentional injury!” So this was the sharp-tongued, ruthless lawyer I once knew. I never imagined that one day, this cold, heartless side of him would be directed at me. I laughed and replied, “Sure, go ahead and sue me.”

I turned and walked away, unwilling to get entangled with them any longer. “Charlotte, where are you going?” Patrick’s voice, tinged with anxiety, came from behind me. I didn’t look back and replied, “Mrs. West said she missed me yesterday.” When I arrived at West Mansion, Scarlett West was startled by my pale face. “Patrick is always careless, but why didn’t Adam even send you here?” Scarlett had always kept me close since I was a child. She used to tease Patrick and Adam, saying, “Let’s see who can marry Charlotte.” But now, I no longer had that shy anticipation of the past. I calmly replied, “They’re busy. It’s normal for them to have their own things to deal with.” Scarlett furrowed her brows and gently touched my pale face. “Did those two scoundrels bully you? I’ll teach them a lesson for you!” I shook my head and smiled, “Mrs. West, there’s no need for that. I’ll be settling in with my parents soon.” Scarlett hugged my shoulders, sighing helplessly. “Charlotte, I don’t know what happened, but for you to have made the decision to leave, it must be those two bastards’ fault.” I leaned my head against her shoulder, drawing warmth from it. “Don’t tell Patrick or Adam. The jokes we made when we were young should never have been taken seriously.” Scarlett took a deep breath, looking at me with a helpless expression. “I’ll keep it a secret. But don’t forget to tell me before you leave.” At that moment, Patrick and Audrey entered, hand in hand, with confused expressions. “Who’s leaving? Where are they going?” I glanced briefly at their intertwined hands and lowered my head in silence. Scarlett looked at them with an unamused expression. “Charlotte’s going on a trip in a few days. By the way, don’t just bring anyone home.” She patted my hand. “Charlotte, I’ll go get some fruit. Just sit here; this is your home.” Patrick, who had been a bit anxious, visibly relaxed. “You said before that you wanted to see the aurora. When did you make the plans?” Adam loosened his tie and added, “Why didn’t you call Patrick and me along? We can bring Audrey too.” Noticing I wasn’t saying anything, Audrey whined and shook Patrick’s arm, her expression playful. “Lotte doesn’t like me, so don’t make things difficult for her.” She attempted to link arms with me, but I quickly pulled away, disgusted by her little trick. Audrey stumbled forward due to the force of her movement. There was a thick rug on the floor, yet she pretended to be delicate, clutching her leg and curling up on the ground. “Charlotte, you dare bully Audrey in our place?” I was violently shoved by Patrick, and my lower back hit the corner of the table. A sharp pain shot through my body. Cold sweat dripped from my forehead as I trembled uncontrollably. But Adam looked at me with disgust. “Stop pretending. You injured Audrey and now act like the victim.” I rubbed my ear, unable to believe what I was hearing. The two guys, who were always so perceptive, couldn’t even see through Audrey’s clumsy act. Their eyes and hearts had long since sided with Audrey. When they loved someone, they’d instinctively protect that person. Patrick hurriedly surrounded Audrey, anxiously asking if she was in pain. Adam picked Audrey up and rushed toward the door. As they passed me, Adam, without caring that I was unsteady on my feet from the collision, coldly said, “Don’t think about hurting Audrey again.” I met Audrey’s mocking gaze and laughed through clenched teeth. The one who was truly hurt was me. But thankfully, we would never have a next time. Leaving as soon as possible was the best decision I had ever made.   After getting my back treated at the hospital, I returned to West Mansion to pick up my forgotten passport. But the lock, which had been set with my birthday as the password, prompted an error. As Adam carried Audrey out of the car with a pained expression, I was curled up in a corner. Patrick sneered with a gloomy expression, “You came back again to play the pitiful act? Audrey’s kind-hearted and forgave you. If you want to stay here, stop thinking of bullying her.” Once my protectors, Patrick and Adam now warned me for someone else. Seeing me look at them coldly, Patrick’s eyes flickered with a hint of unease. “Charlotte, why are you looking at me like that? If you want to come back, just say it.” Audrey playfully patted Patrick’s arm and said, “Patrick, don’t be so harsh. You’re scaring Lotte. “By the way, Lotte, I twisted my ankle. Patrick asked me to stay here for a while. You won’t mind, will you? I’ve ordered a cake from the dessert shop you own. Let’s have a nice gathering.” Adam nodded and raised his chin toward me. “Charlotte, go get the cake. Audrey is trying to make amends with you. Don’t be so petty.” The cake Audrey had specially ordered was indeed enormous. The fondant little girl on top was surrounded by two boys. Ironically, the little girl’s curly hair looked just like Audrey’s. I stared at the cake for a while, a faint smile on my lips, but my heart felt completely still. I no longer felt any sadness from Patrick and Adam’s favoritism toward Audrey. Instead, I found myself wishing for the three of them to always remain happy together and never disturb my life again. I held the large cake and walked toward the cold storage door, but Audrey appeared with a smile on her face. “Lotte, you used to get along so well with Patrick and Adam, didn’t you?” Noticing the smugness in the corners of her eyes, I tried to leave. But Audrey raised an eyebrow and shoved me back into the cold storage. She slammed the door shut, and I could only watch the cake shatter into pieces on the floor. Patrick and Adam rushed in, and upon seeing the cream-covered floor and Audrey still crying, their faces grew even angrier. The temperature in the cold storage felt like ice arrows and could pierce through me. I trembled uncontrollably, trying to gather warmth by hugging my body. I once fell into a lake while ice skating, and since then, I couldn’t stand the cold. During that illness, Patrick had stayed by my bedside and cared for me day and night. Adam had found a famous doctor to treat me. They knew I couldn’t get cold, but now, not a single one of them cared that I was still locked in the cold storage. Adam’s voice, filled with suppressed anger, came through. “Charlotte, this is too much! This cake was designed by Audrey with great care.” Patrick, busy comforting the crying Audrey, didn’t have time to care about me. I was so frozen that I could barely speak. My body shook uncontrollably. I took a deep breath, and my teeth bit into my lip until it bled, just to make myself speak, “It’s really cold in here. Let me out.” Adam’s indifferent voice came from outside. “Apologize to Audrey first, or you can stay in there!” My lips had turned purple from the cold, and my throat felt like it was pierced by icy blades. Every breath I took was painfully sharp. How ridiculous. I had to beg to be freed from this place. And the ones who put me here were the two people I once thought I would spend the rest of my life with. The one I should apologize to was myself. I should have left when Audrey first appeared. I shouldn’t have continued hoping that Patrick and Adam would ever stand by me when they kept favoring her. I looked at the decorative piece in the corner, covered with satin. I suddenly pulled it away. Inside was an ice sculpture of Audrey, painstakingly carved by Patrick himself. I sneered, and despite my trembling hands, I threw the sculpture to the ground. The crisp sound of shattering echoed through the room. The door was hurriedly opened, and Patrick rushed in with a frantic expression. “Charlotte, what the hell are you doing? Do you have any idea what this is? I made this for Audrey!” I forced myself to suppress the trembling and ran upstairs, hastily throwing my documents into my bag. In a daze, I saw myself in the kitchen, experimenting with desserts. Patrick playfully smeared cream on my face, and Adam helplessly wiped it off. “I’ll deal with Patrick for you later. He made our princess look like a messy kitten.” But when I rubbed my eyes, all I saw were them glaring at me with anger. “You’re trying to scare us into thinking you’ll leave, huh? If you have the guts, just never come back!” Indeed, I would never return. I looked at the flight reminder for the next day on my phone. With no tears falling, my heart was already in utter turmoil.

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My name was Emma Cruise. Ever since Hannah Gellar passed away, my husband, Barry Gellar, had been a shadow of his former self. Day and night, he wore headphones, drowning himself in the seven recordings Hannah left behind. He even needed those recordings to fall asleep. Worried about how this obsession might consume him, I decided to hide the recordings. But that only escalated the situation. In his desperation, my husband resorted to extreme measures, coercing me with every mean and ugly thing he could think of. “Those recordings are the only thing Hannah left me! Who do you think you are, taking them away, you worthless bitch?” It hurt, but the pain didn’t end there. Our son Felix Gellar, who I raised with such care, looked at me with icy disdain. “It’s clear you’re twisted in your ways. You don’t deserve to be my mother!” They were both mistaken, clueless about the truth. The woman they believed was dead was actually living abroad, creating a new life and a new family. In this new life, I vowed to deliver the recording to them myself—straight into the ears of both father and son. ***** The gaunt figure before me gripped my throat tightly, his bloodshot eyes boring into mine with a ferocity that sent chills down my spine. “Emma! Give me back my Hannah! “Who do you think you are? What makes you think you have any right to touch the things Hannah left for me? Have I been too good to you all these years, letting it go to your head?” The pressure around my neck made it hard to breathe, and I struggled helplessly as he let out a cruel laugh before throwing me to the ground. “I’m warning you for the last time—hand over those recordings!” Coughing violently, I clutched my throat, gasping for air until the cool rush filled my lungs and brought me back to life. The servants stood around us, their expressions blank, heads bowed, and mouths shut tight. Not one of them dared to step forward to help me. I forced myself to look up, and for a moment, I was taken aback by the familiar face of the man I once loved. I couldn’t believe it—I had been reborn. In the world of the elite, everyone knew the Gellar family patriarch, Barry, had a stepsister. They grew up together, inseparable, their bond unbreakable. But the weight of family expectations crushed Barry when he couldn’t reciprocate her feelings, blaming it on me for preventing their love from being acknowledged. The proud princess of the Gellar family couldn’t handle the rejection and soon fell ill, passing away too soon. All that remained were those seven recordings, supposedly meant to help Barry navigate his grief and find hope again. Each year, like clockwork, someone would play them for him, never missing a beat. Even after I married Barry, I could sense his lingering attachment to that “deceased” sister. He would listen to her voice, trapped in the past, unable to let go. I knew I could never compete with a ghost, and guilt over Hannah’s death weighed heavily on me. So, for years, I kept my head down, carefully tending to both father and son, even as they hurled insults and abuse my way. I never once considered leaving. But those recordings, delivered year after year, dragged Barry deeper into despair, tormenting him until he was a shell of his former self, sleepless and desperate for relief. In my past life, I couldn’t bear to watch him suffer anymore. I bought the remaining recordings, cutting off the source of his pain. What I didn’t expect was for Barry to go to such lengths to find me, resorting to all kinds of torture to force me to hand over the last of the tapes. I was on the brink of collapse, begging for mercy, but he turned a deaf ear and only intensified his cruelty. When I finally relented and handed over the recordings, he tossed me into the slums, watching coldly as a horde of homeless people tormented me to death. “This is what we owe to Hannah. We all deserve this, don’t we?” His icy gaze sent a shiver down my spine, but I reminded myself—I was back, and this time, things would be different. In my previous life, I only discovered after my death that Hannah was never truly gone. She had faked her death and moved abroad, starting a new life, getting married, and having children. It was only after my demise that she returned, pretending to have amnesia, ready to reclaim my child and rekindle her romance with Barry, all while inheriting a fortune. Now that I had a second chance, I was determined to deliver those recordings personally to their ears. Just thinking about that seventh recording made me smile, and I couldn’t help but feel a rush of anticipation.

Seeing me crumpled on the floor, Felix approached with a frown, his gaze dripping with scorn. “Mom, if I hadn’t followed you these past few days, I wouldn’t have discovered just how malicious you really are! “Ms. Hannah Gellar is dead. Why can’t you just let her last recording rest? Do you have to be so petty, letting me down like this?” His words hit me squarely. In the past, I might have argued back, but this time around, I had learned to let go. They were just two ungrateful wretches; no matter how well I treated them, they would always fawn over Hannah. With red-rimmed eyes, Felix went to his father, tugging at Barry’s sleeve with a pitiful expression. “Dad, I miss Ms. Hannah Gellar.” Barry closed his eyes for a moment, his trembling hand reaching to pat Felix’s head. “Emma, I’m giving you one last chance…” Before he could finish, I let out a scoff. “Fine, I’ll give it back to you.” Clearly taken aback by my unexpected compliance, Barry stared at me, his expression a mix of confusion and suspicion. “Emma, don’t pull any tricks. Otherwise, you’ll regret it.” I rolled my eyes, completely unfazed by his threat. After all, in my previous life, he had tortured me without a second thought. To him, I was merely an inconvenience, and this time, I wanted nothing more than to distance myself from him. The bond we once shared had vanished the moment he had someone humiliate me. All that was left was a simmering hatred. To ease his worries, I pulled out the recording pen and pressed play. In an instant, a soft, tearful voice filled the air. “Barry, it’s been six years since I left you. Have you been eating well every day? I… I miss you so much… “Barry, even though I’m gone, you have to… live well. Ahem… I will always love you and Felix…” Her voice was weak, punctuated by heart-wrenching coughs, making her sound utterly pitiful. Each word was a dagger aimed at Barry, who stood frozen, tears streaming down his face. Anyone would think Hannah was still his wife. Felix wiped his eyes and, almost unconsciously, called out, “Sister…” Watching the two of them, so alike in their infatuation, I couldn’t help but smirk. Once the recording ended, it was as if Barry had been drained of all energy. He staggered slightly. It made sense; this was the sixth recording, and only one remained. I had long wondered why Hannah insisted on leaving behind those seven recordings. If she truly wanted Barry to live well, she wouldn’t torment him with them every year. Back then, I naively believed Hannah wanted to help him out of his sorrow. But now, it was clear—she wanted to be the unforgettable woman in Barry’s heart. No one knew Hannah better than I did. After failing to win against me, she resorted to these underhanded tactics to reclaim her place, regardless of how many people would get hurt along the way. As long as she achieved her goal, it would all be worth it to her. I smiled sweetly as I pulled out another recording pen. “Barry, would you like to hear the last recording she left for you?”

Barry couldn’t possibly resist the urge to listen, but I wasn’t about to make it easy for him. “What’s your price? Whatever you want, I’ll agree to it! Emma, please, that recording means everything to me. Just give it to me!” I gave the recording pen a little shake, letting it tap against the cup with a sharp, clear sound. If I loosened my grip even slightly, it would plunge into the water. Barry hesitated, rooted to the spot, his eyes fixed on the pen in my hand. He had always been cold and dignified, but now, a mere recording had forced him to lower his guard. I couldn’t help but find it amusing, glancing at Felix, who was puffed up with indignation. After carrying him for nine months and raising him for thirteen years, it seemed my efforts paled in comparison to the carefree time Hannah had spent with him. If that was the case, I had no intention of bending over backward to please them any longer. I said, “Alright, but I want a divorce.” Barry’s expression shifted from shock to disbelief as he looked at me. “Emma, are you out of your mind? Do you even hear what you’re saying? Don’t use this to threaten me; it’s ridiculous!” Felix shook his head, adding, “Mom, you’re not a child anymore. You should know better.” I ignored their protests. I had been the responsible one for far too long, and it hadn’t saved me from their cruelty in my past life. As I tilted my wrist down, letting the recording pen near the water’s surface, Barry finally realized I was serious. After a brief moment of hesitation, he relented. “I’ll agree to it!” His words were a relief. “Great. So, we’ll split the assets evenly after the divorce. You won’t mind that, right?” Since Hannah’s death, Barry had been in a downward spiral, losing interest in the business. If it weren’t for me, the Gellar family wouldn’t have achieved what it had over the years. It was only fair that I took my share. To my surprise, Barry quickly agreed. To ensure he wouldn’t backtrack, I had a divorce agreement drafted and signed on the spot. Felix chimed in coldly from the side, “Mom, even if you divorce Dad, I’m sticking with him. Following a woman like you, who craves vanity, is just disgusting!” My hand paused mid-signature as I looked at him, momentarily confused. Felix thought he had figured me out, but before he could gloat, I feigned a sudden realization. I shrugged. “Oh, I almost forgot about you. “But honestly, I never planned on keeping you.” Felix, still just a kid, couldn’t hide his feelings, and his eyes turned red with anger. With the divorce agreement in hand, I tossed the recording pen to Barry. He caught it gingerly, as if it were a rare treasure. Watching him and Felix huddle together, I saw Barry’s trembling hands as he opened the pen, and Hannah’s sweet voice emerged. “Barry, if you still think of me seven years from now, come visit this place.” The recording continued, revealing the address of a luxurious estate abroad.

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At three months pregnant, I was left behind on a sinking cruise ship by my husband, Damon Hunt. The reason? Elena Hart screamed that she was afraid of water. I begged him to save me and the baby, but he shoved me off the lifeboat, coldly saying, “You can swim, right? You’ll be fine!” After being rescued from the ocean, I lost the baby and had to undergo surgery, but I couldn’t get Damon to sign the consent forms. As I scrolled through social media, I saw Elena’s post on Instagram. Elena: [True love shows in times of crisis, Damon.] The photo showed them wrapped in the same blanket, drenched and barely clothed. Once I recovered and was discharged from the hospital, I drove straight to the plain. Damon, who hadn’t contacted me in over a month, suddenly bombarded me with calls. “Lillian, the wedding dress is ready. Are we still getting married?” After leaving the car convoy, I turned on my spare phone and saw over a hundred missed calls from Damon. I picked up the phone, and Damon, barely holding back his frustration, demanded, “Lillian, where have you been? I couldn’t reach you by phone, and you didn’t reply to any of my messages. My parents have been reminding you to try on the wedding dress, but you’ve gone completely off the radar. Are you still planning on getting married or not?” I glanced at the divorce papers I had already signed. “I guess we’re not getting married.” “What’s wrong with you? You were the one who said we should just register and not have a ceremony. The invitations have already been sent. Now you’re backing out?” There was noise in the background. A sweet female voice was soothing him. His tone softened. “Wait for me. I’ll pick you up, and we’ll go try on the wedding dress.” The wedding dress was custom-made, and it was the most expensive element of our minimalist wedding. I had imagined countless times walking down the aisle, wearing the most beautiful dress, with all of our friends and family watching, marrying him. But now, I didn’t care anymore. Damon had upgraded his car—a bold royal blue that screamed attention. Sitting in the passenger seat, the sun was blinding. I pulled down the visor, only to see lipstick marks on the mirror—Damon loves Elena. Damon suddenly explained, “I swapped out the car. The old one was too cheap. It didn’t match my status.” That was the birthday gift I had scrimped and saved for. From the car’s color to the interior, everything had been carefully chosen by me. Just like me, the car was discarded. We stopped outside the bridal shop, but I didn’t get out. “Why here? I thought I booked at another one.” Damon dragged me out of the car. “A friend recommended this one. She said it’s better.” I always loved silk wedding dresses, but this store was filled with dramatic, puffy gowns. Despite already choosing my wedding dress, I was being forced to change my plans because of Elena’s preferences. A shop assistant guided me toward the fitting room. The dress fit, but it didn’t suit me at all. It felt as mismatched as Damon and I had become. Damon looked at me, but the only time I saw real admiration in his eyes was for the dress. I knew he wasn’t thinking of me. He was imagining Elena wearing it. “This one,” he declared without hesitation. I silently allowed him to lead me out of the store. Once in the car, he asked, “Why the long face? You’ve been to the plain, had some fun, and you’re still upset? Just because of a small thing, are you going to hold a grudge?” During last month’s cruise, when the ship was sinking after hitting a reef, Damon had pushed me off the lifeboat. It was all because Elena was afraid of water, and I had learned to swim years ago. I lost the baby, and he found his true love. He had almost completely forgotten about that day. When I stayed silent, he began lecturing me. “Why did you have to go to the plain? You’re pregnant, and you’re not in your twenties anymore. Shouldn’t you be more responsible? Now that you’re a mom, you need to be more stable. The baby is your responsibility now.” I shot back. “And this baby isn’t yours? Did you think about that responsibility when you shoved me off the lifeboat?” Damon turned his face away. “Stop trying to turn this into something it’s not. Go get checked out. Make sure everything’s alright with the baby.” Looking up, I saw that we had arrived at the OB/GYN. The doctor who performed the procedure looked worried. “Didn’t you just have an abortion last month? Is something wrong?”

Damon, who had been lazily scrolling through his phone, froze. “An abortion? Lillian, you had an abortion without telling me? When did this happen?” The waiting room was crowded, and all eyes were on us. I remembered two months ago, when we first found out I was pregnant. Damon had spun me around in joy, right there in the same hospital. We hadn’t been financially well-off when we first got married. We’d registered but hadn’t had a wedding ceremony. It wasn’t until I got pregnant and our financial situation improved that I suggested having a wedding. Damon couldn’t wait to make it happen. But now, his indifference tore at me. In those two months, he’d found true love, while I was drowning in heartbreak. Someone came over to mediate, and Damon frowned, pulling me into a stairwell. “June 3rd.” I looked up, noticing the anger on his face had frozen. That was the day the cruise ship had sunk, and I had been left stranded in the freezing ocean for five hours before being rescued. Meanwhile, Damon was already in Elena’s arms, confessing his love. Damon’s voice softened. “Have you had your check-up after the surgery? You went through a lot, and you didn’t even tell me. Running off to the plain without resting properly.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Let’s go get you checked out. We need to make sure there are no aftereffects. And don’t worry. We’ll have more babies in the future.” His phone rang, and a love song played from the speakers. Damon had always used basic ringtones—except when it came to Elena. For her, he’d make everything feel special. On the other end of the line, Elena was playfully whining. “Are you free today? I’ve been thinking about it. That cruise accident was so scary. I need to learn to swim for my own safety. Will you be my personal instructor? I’ve always been afraid of water, but I trust you.” Damon smiled, oblivious to my presence, clearly enjoying the attention. He hung up, glanced at me, and his expression hardened. “If it weren’t for your miscarriage, we wouldn’t have all this trouble. Let’s skip the check-up today. I’ve got something urgent. You can come again with my mom instead.” He rushed off without another word. I walked out, facing the pitying stares of everyone in the lobby. I hailed a cab. It was July, and the heat felt suffocating, thick and oppressive. It was like drowning in the sea—my heart was heavy with pain, but I couldn’t bring myself to cry. Back home, Damon’s mother called, her voice stern. “Lillian, I heard about the miscarriage. It’s your fault. I’ll take you for a check-up in a couple of days. Hope it won’t affect your future fertility.” I didn’t respond. Her voice softened slightly. “Lillian, you’ve been without parents your whole life. My husband and I have treated you like our own daughter. Don’t take this the wrong way, but losing one child isn’t the end of the world. Life goes on. I’m just worried about your health. If you can have kids, the family will have a future.” I had once believed her when she acted like a mother to me, thinking that marrying Damon would give me the family I’d always wanted. Now, I saw through her—it was all about controlling my womb. “Tomorrow, I’ve invited someone to come over and hold a memorial for the child. Damon should come too. A lost child is gone, but your relationship with Damon must continue.” I turned off the backup phone, not bothering to listen anymore. I stopped feeling the pain.

It had been a whole day without food, and as I lay in bed, my stomach twisted with sharp, cramping pain. I thought about getting up to grab something to eat, but the thought of food only made me feel nauseous. This house, with every corner filled with his presence, made me sick to my stomach. I could almost feel him there in the silence, his shadow looming everywhere. As a wave of dizziness and cold sweat washed over me, I opened my phone, hoping to order some medicine. Instead, I saw that Elena had posted on Instagram again, even going so far as to send me a screenshot. She made sure I saw it before quickly deleting the message. She made sure I saw it before quickly deleting the message. Elena: [Damon is my swimming instructor today!] The picture showed a crystal-clear pool, with Elena in a bikini, her selfie framed perfectly—except for one detail. She was sitting on Damon’s lap. Damon didn’t show his face, but the tattoo on his abs was unmistakable. It was my initials—once a symbol of our love. A sudden wave of nausea hit me as the pain in my stomach intensified, and I threw my phone onto the bed. I didn’t know how much time passed, but eventually, I managed to calm down enough to get up. As I walked toward the door, I heard Damon returning home. He was upstairs, chatting with Elena on a video call. His voice was soft and tender, full of affection. “Next month, I’m going to Brighton for work. Will you come with me?” Elena laughed, “Of course, I’ll come. We need to leave a trace of our love everywhere.” I leaned back against the door, curling up into myself. No one wanted to give up on someone they truly loved. But when silence and heartache piled up, sometimes it was time to let go, no matter how painful it was. Once upon a time, Damon and I had supported each other through thick and thin—two interns just starting at the company, and now, department directors. We’d seen the harbor view at 4 AM, worked overtime for half a year, delayed, and finally canceled our wedding—all for the sake of a big project. During the toughest, most exhausting days, we would prepare lunch for each other, and when we finally found the time to eat, the food would already be spoiled. We comforted each other, promising that once we succeeded, we’d go on that trip to the plain. But in the end, I was the only one who went. I searched through the ashes of love, but there was no spark left. That night, I was woken up by a strange sound. Damon’s mother had really gone through with the ritual. She had even set up a small altar for the unborn child. Damon had been ordered to keep watch, his head lowered as he tapped away at his phone. When I walked closer, I saw he was chatting with Elena. Damon: [My mom is overreacting!] Damon: [It’s just a dead baby—didn’t even have a name, just a tiny embryo. Why should I keep watch for something like that?] Damon: [It’s not like Lillian died.] Damon: [Remember that hot spring I promised you yesterday? We’ll have to go next time.] I turned and went back to my room, opening the company’s system to submit my resignation. I had never liked Harborview, but it had been Damon’s home, and I had stayed here for many years. But no matter how long I’d been here, I always felt like an outsider. Now, I was determined to start fresh. It was time to leave.   The next day, I went to the office to officially resign. As luck would have it, I ran into Elena delivering lunch to Damon. “Fired?” she asked, her eyes gleaming with challenge. “Serves you right! I told Damon ages ago that IT isn’t a field for women. You have been in the company for so many years, now you’re leaving!” She patted me on the shoulder. “Lillian, love is the same way. If it’s not right, no matter how many years you’re married, it’ll eventually end. Besides, who really knows you were even married?” I pushed her hand away and walked straight for the door. She thought I didn’t know about her and Damon sneaking around on the company rooftop over the past couple of months. After a 2 PM lunch break, whenever she brought Damon lunch, they’d stay up there together until almost 4 PM before returning to work. Damon was the vice director of the marketing department, often traveling for business, which meant he wasn’t in the office much. He was also rarely at home, most likely spending his time with Elena. But from now on, he wouldn’t be that leisurely. When I handed in my resignation, Margaret Whitmore, my boss, shared her thoughts in a heartfelt conversation. The message was clear. She was getting Damon out of the company. I had been a key player in the R&D department. Our relationship had made it difficult to put Damon in a tight spot, but now that I was leaving, his position could be filled by someone else. Margaret said, “Ms. Westwood’s son just graduated and returned from abroad. She’s considering letting him take over as director.” I nodded. “Sounds good to me.” As I walked out the door, it was nearly noon when Damon finally rushed into clock in. When he saw me holding a box, his confusion turned to realization. “Well, that’s good. We’ll have the wedding this Sunday. There’s no need for you to work anymore. It’ll be easier on you,” he said. Elena, standing behind him, spoke with a familiar tone. “What, do you look down on career women?” She was a makeup artist, always traveling, always on the go. I knew, for a fact, that on at least four separate occasions, Damon had claimed to be on a business trip when in reality, he was traveling with her. Throughout our entire marriage, the only trip we ever took together was the cruise. We had always talked about going to the grasslands, but it kept getting pushed back. But that time, when I suggested the cruise, Damon didn’t refuse. It was only because Elena was with us. I glanced up, and Damon’s smile was as bright as it had been during the early days of our love. “Elena, you know it’s not the same between you two.” His tenderness had long since belonged to someone else. When my colleagues threw me a farewell party, I declined. I quietly slipped away, and it only confirmed Damon’s belief. He thought I couldn’t hack it in the industry anymore. After losing the baby, I was disheartened and ready to give up my career to become a housewife. He brushed past me without a second glance and said, “After the wedding, I’ll give you everything you want. Enough with the tantrums.” I smiled, “Fine, no more tantrums from me.” And I meant it. I didn’t need him anymore. “Damon, let’s get a divorce.”

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My adopted son, Justin Hackett, wanted his biological mother, Sofia Quinn, to drink the wine that his bride offered at the wedding. He persuaded my husband, Zach Hackett, to give me sleeping pills the day before the wedding. The next day, Zach brought Sofia to Justin’s wedding. The three of them hugged each other tightly and shed happy tears. But I could never wake up again because of the overdose of sleeping pills. When I opened my eyes again, Zach brought me another glass of milk. ***** Zach reminded me when he saw that I was reluctant to take the milk. “Baby, drink the milk. Otherwise, you will have insomnia again tonight.” Justin also echoed beside me. “Mom, you have to sleep well tonight so that you can have enough energy to attend my wedding tomorrow.” I took the milk and took a sip with a smile, looking at him. “Okay, I will drink it. Tomorrow is your wedding. I have to be well rested.” An imperceptible smile of success flashed across the corners of Zach and Justin’s lips. I used the excuse that the milk wasn’t sweet enough and went to the kitchen to add sugar. As soon as the door was closed, I poured the milk into the sink with a cold face and turned on the tap to destroy the evidence. In my previous life, it was this glass of milk that made me fall asleep and never wake up again. After death, I regretted not being able to attend Justin’s wedding. My soul floated to the wedding scene. I watched Zach holding Sofia. The three of them were so happy that they burst into tears. After the wedding, Sofia said to Zach, “Being in love with you is the luckiest thing in my life. The only regret is that we can’t be a real family. I’m really jealous of Yvette. She is your legal wife and Justin’s adoptive mother. If you didn’t think of me, I wouldn’t be able to attend Justin’s wedding as his mother.” She became more and more aggrieved and even cried. Zach hurried to coax her. “Yvette is not worthy of being compared with you. She is just my wife in name only. I only have you in my heart. For you and Justin, I secretly had a vasectomy before marrying Yvette. She is not worthy of having my child. I deceived Yvette. She really thought she could not have children. So she transferred all her guilt towards me to Justin. She used the connections of the Stewart family to help us raise an excellent son. I have been acting with her for more than 20 years, and I am tired of her. Now, I am just waiting for her father to die, and then I can completely control the Stewart Group. Then I will divorce Yvette and marry you.” Sofia burst into laughter. Obscene sounds soon rang out in the room. My husband, who treated me with respect, had another woman in his heart. He was just acting with me. My adopted son, I raised with all my heart, was their biological son. They loved each other, and I was the only outsider. More importantly… I touched my lower abdomen with trembling hands. So, the diagnosis was also fake. It wasn’t my fallopian tube that was deformed, but Zach had a vasectomy. At that time, Zach and I had been married for four years, but I hadn’t gotten pregnant yet. I was so anxious that I dragged Zach to the hospital for a checkup. The results showed that my fallopian tubes were deformed on both sides, while Zach was qualified in all aspects. It was my fault that I couldn’t conceive. I was devastated and desperate. I didn’t want to delay Zach, so I proposed a divorce. But he kept saying that he loved me. He said he couldn’t live without me. To keep me, he suggested adopting his distant nephew Justin, whose parents had both passed away. After adopting Justin, I took care of his food, clothing, housing, and transportation and slowly walked out of the shadow of infertility. At that time, I thought that sincerity would be exchanged for sincerity. I was good to Justin, and he would be good to me in the future. But I didn’t expect that he would enjoy my kindness to him while loving his biological parents. How ruthless and vicious Zach was! He pushed me into the abyss of pain and then pretended to be a hero, saving me. He lied to me and made me feel guilty and grateful to him, and then I served and paved the way for his family of three! I sacrificed everything I had while they took advantage of me! Why? Why! The anger and indignation swept over me. My vision went dark, and I was reborn back to today.

I came back to my senses, put the glass away, and walked out of the kitchen. I yawned after watching TV for a few minutes on the sofa. Seeing this, Zach and Justin looked at each other implicitly, with a smile of success. Zach put down the newspaper and said, “It’s getting late. Go to bed now so that you can get up early tomorrow.” I nodded and went back to my room. Yes, my room. Not the room Zach and I shared. After adopting Justin, Zach proposed to sleep in separate rooms with me. He said he was busy with work and would wake me up when he came into the room in the middle of the night. So it was better to sleep in separate rooms to give each other some personal space. At first, I thought Zach wanted to sleep in separate rooms with me because he had another woman outside. Later, I observed him for some time and found that he went between home and work every day. His life was very regular. I knew his colleagues very well, and they would not do anything to destroy other people’s families. So I was relieved. Sleeping in separate rooms was not a big deal as long as it didn’t interfere with our sex life. Now that I thought about it, how could Zach be worried about disturbing my sleep? He clearly wanted to stay away from me and keep his body for the woman he loved! It was ridiculous. We had done everything, but he suddenly remembered to keep his distance from me. What? A man’s chastity was never under his suit pants? I sneered and went to bed early. There was still a “tough battle” to fight the next day. On the next morning, after the door closed, I opened my eyes and got up to wash. To verify the efficacy of sleeping pills, Zach even came to wake me up. He left only after seeing that I was sleeping soundly. I thought, “Humph, you three don’t even think about having a good time today!” Time gradually approached noon. I had a full meal and rushed to the hotel on time. It was very lively along the way. A man watching the show asked me what I was doing. I just smiled and didn’t say anything, which aroused his curiosity. The line was getting longer and longer. When I walked to the door of the hotel, there were already more than a hundred people. The hotel lobby was bustling. The red carpet was laid, the ribbons were flying, and the place was full of guests. The emcee was livening up the atmosphere. He was asking the bride to toast Sofia. I walked onto the stage quickly, took the wine from the bride, and put it aside. “Hey, I haven’t even arrived yet. Who is this wine for?” Sofia’s raised hand froze in the air. She was stunned for a few seconds, then smoothed the hair by her ears and said with relief, “The emcee urged both parents to go on stage to go through the process. Zach said I was Justin’s aunt, so he asked me to take your place temporarily. It’s great that you’re here now, just in time to drink the wine toasted by the bride.” As she said that, she stood up to make room for me. Justin wanted to stop her, but Sofia shook her head gently to signal him not to speak. I ignored Sofia’s careful action, snatched the microphone from the emcee, and signaled him to go down. “Welcome all relatives and friends to attend the wedding of my adopted son Justin. But today is not only his wedding but also a good day for his biological parents to rebound. Please raise your hands to applaud this couple and send the most sincere blessings!” As soon as I finished speaking, two young men who had been waiting for a long time opened the banner, one on the left and one on the right, and presented it to everyone. Everyone’s eyesight was very good, and the hotel was well-lit. The banner was red with large black characters, which was very eye-catching. After seeing the content of the banner clearly, everyone present was shocked. In silence, a little girl of eight or nine years old slowly read it out. “Taking a concubine on behalf of my husband, I sincerely invite Ms. Sofia Quinn to be the first concubine of my husband Zach. Mom, what is a concubine?” The little girl asked innocently with her big eyes. Her mother smiled awkwardly and quickly covered her mouth to prevent her from saying anything shocking again. It was indeed a bit embarrassing, but the mother was curious and obviously didn’t want to miss such a dramatic show. Justin was furious, and his face turned red. He wanted to snatch the banner from the two young men and end this embarrassing farce. It was a pity that I spent two hundred dollars to hire these two young men from the martial arts gym. They were tall, strong, and powerful. A weak guy like Justin couldn’t do anything to them. He could only yell at me, “Mom, what are you fussing about? I just asked Aunt Sofia to take a glass of wine for you. Do you have to make such a fuss? Do you have to ruin my wedding?”

Justin asked me in a low voice with red eyes as if he had been greatly wronged. I sneered secretly. Who could be more wronged than me? I worked so hard to take care of their son for Sofia for twenty years, but in the end, Zach gave me sleeping pills and killed me. They plotted against me. Shouldn’t I be allowed to take revenge? I raised my hand and slapped Justin twice, making him stunned. “Who is your mom? You know who your mom is. I’m not your mom. This person, whom you keep calling Aunt Sofia, is your real mother. And your adoptive father Zach is your real father. You know their relationship very well. Otherwise, you would not have instigated your father to give me sleeping pills and then brought your mother to the wedding. Zach, Sofia, you two are shameless! All these years, you played cousins in front of me and were lovers behind my back. Isn’t that exciting?” My every word was transmitted to every corner of the hotel lobby through the microphone, like a drop of water falling into a hot oil pan, stirring up a heated discussion. “What a complicated relationship. His aunt is his real mother, and his adoptive father is his real father. Only his adoptive mother has been an outsider from the beginning.” “A husband who has cheated for many years. A scheming adopted son. A shameless mistress. A wife who has been deceived for many years. Such a miserable legal wife.” “Oh my God. I didn’t come to this wedding for nothing. When I go home, I will be the focus of the intelligence center!” ***** The guests in the audience whispered to each other. They stole a glance at the situation on the stage, and knowing smiles rose on their faces. Sofia was extremely panicked. She relied on Zach’s true love and never took me, his legal wife, seriously. No one knew that she had an affair with Zach in private. Now that she was exposed as a mistress, and so many people knew about it. Those eyes fell on her like needles, piercing her so much that she wanted to die. She finally learned what “people’s words are scary” meant. Sofia was extremely ashamed and angry. She hurriedly hid behind Zach to avoid those stares. The upper half of her face appeared behind Zach’s shoulder, with tears in her eyes, making people feel sorry for her. “Yvette, I didn’t mean to destroy your marriage with Zach. Back then, I wanted to break up with Zach and leave, but Zach brought Justin to the train station to keep me. Justin hugged my legs and called me Mom, begging me not to leave. He cried so hard. He is my son. How could I not feel sorry for him? “So I agreed to stay and pretend that Zach was my cousin. I just wanted to watch Justin grow up. I told Zach that you were his lifelong wife and asked him to forget me. But love made us unable to help ourselves. When we were deeply in love, I could not care about anything else. Just like that, we loved each other and stayed together for many years. “I thought I was hiding it from you for your own good, but I didn’t expect that I still hurt you. Everything is my fault. I was shameless and destroyed your family. If you want to blame someone, blame me, not Justin. You have raised him for twenty years. Can you bear to ruin his wedding?” As Sofia narrated, sweetness, pain, entanglement, relief, and other emotions alternated on her face. Finally, regret and begging. Seeing that I was unmoved, her eyes darkened. She rushed out and knelt at my feet, slapping herself in the face. “It’s all my fault. I am shameless. It’s all my fault…” Her well-maintained cheeks were soon covered with bright red slap marks. Zach held Sofia’s hand and looked at me hatefully. “Sofia, don’t hurt yourself. Yvette is very cruel. Even if you smash your face, she won’t let it go.” Justin left the helpless bride, with only his real mother in his eyes and heart. “Mom, my dad is right. Don’t hurt yourself anymore. You just love my dad. You were even willing to give up so much for me and my dad. Those people only sympathize with Yvette. Who can you complain to for your grievances?” Sofia was very moved. The man she loved and her son were on her side. But the bride didn’t think so. She was shocked and stunned. She took a few steps back. Obviously, she couldn’t accept such a worldview. I walked over to comfort her and said, “Miss, a blessed person does not deserve an unblessed family. How about you not get married?”

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My son, Oliver Harrington, was taken into custody by the police on suspicion of murder. Meanwhile, my husband, Gavin Harrington, was still on the slopes, skiing with his first love, Celeste Reed. This time, I didn’t ask him to come back. In my past life, I had begged him to return. But I never expected that, after he left, Celeste—alone on the slopes—would crash into a rock, suffering multiple fractures and dying before help could arrive. After dealing with her funeral, Gavin came back home, his expression unchanged. He even took us on a ski trip abroad for our wedding anniversary. But in the end, both Oliver and I fell into a trap. I screamed, desperately begging him to save our son, who was barely clinging to life, but Gavin stood there, his teeth clenched, filled with bitter anger. “If it weren’t for you two, she wouldn’t have died. I want you both to burn in hell.” Then, I opened my eyes again and found myself back on the day Oliver was arrested. This time, I let them have their way. I didn’t call him. But somehow, everything seemed to veer off course. ***** “I want to see my dad. If he doesn’t come, I won’t say a word.” Oliver, his emotions boiling over, stepped back, eyes flashing with defiance. Behind him, a crowd had gathered—school officials, police, and a pack of reporters. Just half an hour earlier, a girl had fallen from the roof and died on impact. But what was even worse was the initial coroner’s report—multiple bruises on the victim’s body, evidence of assault. Oliver, who had been at the scene, was now the prime suspect. I pushed through the crowd, desperate to get to him. Even though I had lived through this before, seeing my son standing on the edge again made my legs go weak. “What are you doing standing here? Get Gavin back!” Gavin’s parents arrived, shoving me aside. I barely had time to explain before Gavin’s mom pulled out her phone and dialed. The moment the call connected, it was immediately cut off. Relentlessly, they kept dialing over and over. But all that came through was a cold, mechanical voice. “The number you dialed has been disconnected…” Gavin’s dad slammed his hand on her shoulder. “Quick, call Celeste. Gavin’s with her right now.” I froze, a chill spreading through me. They had known all along—Gavin and Celeste were together. Then Celeste’s soft, sultry voice came through the phone. “Stop it. It’s your mom’s call!” “My mom? What does she want? Probably just Eleanor being jealous again, complaining to my mom.” “Oh, don’t… ah…” The phone dropped, and the unmistakable sound of their passionate kiss filled the line. My stomach twisted in disgust. As Gavin’s mom caught the uncomfortable glances from those around us, she quickly ended their kiss. “Gavin, come to Oliver’s school quickly! He’s about to jump!” After a reluctant separation, Gavin’s voice came through, sharp with irritation. “Mom, are you done? Since when did you become as unreasonable as Eleanor? You’re making up lies just to get me back? Oliver’s jumping? Really?” Then Gavin’s father grabbed the phone, furious. “Gavin Harrington! I’m ordering you—come here now!” “Dad!” Gavin cut him off, his voice cold and final. “Celeste’s birthday is today. I’m not ruining her mood. Whoever jumps today won’t stop me from being with Celeste.” With that, he hung up. The coldness in Gavin’s voice hit me like a punch. I couldn’t stop my whole body from shaking.

In my past life, I had been completely helpless. When I got the call from the school, I nearly passed out. All I could do was hope and pray that Gavin, being a lawyer, would know what to do. Oliver had always idolized him, listening to no one but him since he was little. In the end, I had to threaten divorce and give up custody just to get him to come back. But I never imagined how things would turn out. After Gavin left, Celeste, furious and alone, stayed at the ski resort. She ignored the staff’s pleas and kept skiing, only to crash into a hidden rock. Her spine was dislocated, and she suffered multiple fractures. The resort was remote, and with the heavy snowstorm, help couldn’t get to her in time. Celeste died there. I thought Gavin would blame me and hate me for it. But after arranging her funeral, he came home, his face unreadable, and knelt before me, begging for my forgiveness. He promised he would never leave the family again. I was overjoyed, believing every word. I thought that maybe, just maybe, things were finally turning around. When Gavin suggested a rare wedding anniversary trip, I thought it was a sign of things to come. But I had no idea… He had carefully planned a remote ski trip. He encouraged Oliver, who wasn’t good at skiing, to try the more dangerous areas, and I, in my desperation to save him, fell into the trap with him. Meanwhile, Gavin stood off to the side, indifferent, pouring bucket after bucket of ice water on us as we were trapped with nowhere to escape. In the end, he even released a snake, watching with cold detachment as Oliver and I were consumed by fear and despair. “You killed Celeste. If you hadn’t forced me to come home, she’d still be alive!” I didn’t understand. I pulled Oliver close, shielding him. And I looked at my husband, who looked like a completely different person. “But Oliver is your son too! He needs you! Shouldn’t you be there for him, especially when he needs you most? Doesn’t his life matter more than Celeste’s?” Oliver, trembling with fear, cried out, “Dad…” Gavin kicked an empty bucket down. “I want you both to feel the despair Celeste felt in her final moments. You’ll experience it, just like she did!” Oliver’s body was already turning blue from the cold. Until the end, he couldn’t believe his own father would be the one to kill him. That pain, that raw agony, still gnaws at my soul. On the roof, Oliver’s face was pale as he looked at me. “Doesn’t Dad believe in me anymore?” My heart was in my throat. I quickly tried to reassure him. “Oliver, don’t be afraid. Trust me. As long as we cooperate with the police and tell the truth, you won’t go to jail.” Not only would he not go to jail, but in my past life, Gavin had found a key witness. If we could find that person, Oliver’s innocence would be proven. “Really? You believe I didn’t kill her?” “Of course, Oliver. You’re my son. I know you better than anyone! Even if you had a knife, you wouldn’t use it to hurt anyone.” I saw a flicker of hope in his eyes. I signaled to Officer Lucas Sterling, who nodded in agreement. “Exactly, the police work based on evidence. No one will be wrongly accused. As long as you tell the truth, the law will be fair to everyone.” After a few more words, Oliver finally calmed down and stepped away from the edge. Just as the tension started to ease, a woman, wild-eyed and disheveled, stormed toward us. “Oliver! Why did you kill my daughter?! I’m going to make you pay for this!”

I froze, a jolt of panic hitting me. Without thinking, I stepped in front of Oliver, shielding him. “Why? My daughter never did anything to you! Why did you kill her?” The woman in front of me was covered in blood—her appearance was utterly shocking. But what struck me the most was the look on her face. I knew that face. She was Charlotte Vaughn, the mother of the deceased Serena Vaughn. A sense of dread started gnawing at me. This wasn’t how things went down in my last life. Charlotte gripped my shoulder with bone-crushing force, her eyes filled with rage as they locked on Oliver, who stood by the rooftop edge. “An eye for an eye! Oliver Harrington, I swear I’ll make sure my daughter gets revenge!” Gavin’s mom, unable to watch this, quickly intervened, “Do you even know slander is a crime? The investigation’s not even done, and you’re accusing my grandson of murder? I’ll sue you for this!” She turned to Oliver, a smug look on her face. “Oliver, don’t worry. Your father’s a lawyer—he handles criminal cases all the time. This is nothing for him!” Charlotte, her anger boiling over, snapped back, “You think you’re the only ones who can afford a lawyer?!” Alexander Vaughn stepped in front of his wife, calming her with a reassuring hand. “I’ve already contacted my lawyer. The firm’s taking on the case. They’ve got the best criminal lawyer—never lost a case in this area.” I grabbed Gavin’s mom’s arm, stopping her from continuing. If this kept going, things would spiral completely out of control. I turned to Oliver, who looked terrified, his eyes wide and uncertain. “Oliver, I know you didn’t kill her. You were trying to help her, weren’t you?” He blinked, taken aback. “How do you know that?” “I know she was hurt. You called her up here to the rooftop to protect her, to stop her from being hurt again, right?” I continued, “You thought only your dad could handle this, so you kept pushing him to get involved. But, Oliver, I can help too. Don’t you remember what I used to do for a living?” For the first time, he seemed to wake up, his face softening as he realized. Just as I was about to breathe a sigh of relief, Alexander’s phone rang. Oliver flinched, recoiling like a trapped animal.   “Hello, is this Mr. Alexander Vaughn?” The voice on the other end of the line made my heart drop. It was Gavin. A cold wave of shock washed over me. Everything felt like it was spinning in a direction I didn’t expect. I looked at Alexander and Charlotte. In my last life, I had only met them in the police station, never like this. It felt like something—or someone—was steering everything toward disaster. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was deeply wrong, but I couldn’t pinpoint what. “Sir, I’ve fully taken over your case. I’ve already reviewed the details. I’m so sorry for your daughter’s death, but don’t worry—I’ll make sure the culprit pays for this. I’ll make sure they get the maximum sentence.” Charlotte yanked the phone from Alexander’s hand, her voice filled with anguish. “I want that killer to die! The person who took my daughter from me—I won’t rest until they’re gone!” On the other end of the line, Gavin’s voice oozed with scorn, completely unabashed. “These kinds of people—society’s filth—I’ll make sure they’re put behind bars for good, even if I don’t take a penny for it!” “Dad!” Oliver spoke up, his voice trembling in disbelief. “What if…” He hesitated, his throat tight. “What if the person is innocent?” Gavin didn’t miss a beat, his voice dripping with superiority. I doubted he ever stopped to think about why his son was the one on the other end of the line. “I’ve already looked into it. The person who pushed Serena has a history of violence—multiple school fights and disciplinary actions. People like that shouldn’t be allowed to walk free. This tragedy is the result of the school turning a blind eye to his behavior!” Fighting? A history of trouble? I could hardly breathe as Gavin’s words sunk in. Ever since Celeste returned, Gavin had brought her on as his secretary, and he’d spent countless hours with her, all while secretly taking her to school meetings. Their behavior had become even more brazen, and it wasn’t long before they were caught in a compromising situation in the school bathroom by another parent. Oliver’s reputation was destroyed, and he was mocked by his classmates. If it weren’t for Gavin’s actions, none of this would’ve happened! How could he sit there and accuse our son of having such a history? Oliver took a step back, his voice barely audible, as if unsure if he even belonged in this conversation. “So, you think this person should die?” Gavin answered almost without thinking. “People like him—sociopaths—they’re a plague on society. The world would be better off without them.” I saw Oliver’s face turn ashen, and I reached out to hang up the phone. But before I could, Alexander intercepted my move, his hand stopping mine. I froze, my heart racing, as I turned to face Oliver. “Oliver, don’t listen to him…” “Mom!” Oliver forced a bitter, pained smile. “I’m sorry.” Before I could react, he jumped. “No!” I ran, my heart pounding in my chest as I sprinted toward the edge of the rooftop.

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My name was Lillian Miller. The day I went into the operating room to deliver my twins, my husband, Vincent Moore, flat-out refused to sign the consent form for anesthesia. He insisted I was allergic to it and couldn’t have any. So, there I was, undergoing an emergency C-section without any pain relief. When the moment came and my babies were pulled from me, I took my last breath and died. But my soul didn’t move on; it lingered, and I overheard a conversation between Vincent and his mistress, Nancy Fox. He said, his voice dripping with satisfaction, “Now you can rightfully be my wife. You won’t have to suffer through childbirth, and you can step right into the role of mother.” Nancy gazed down at my two little ones nestled in Vincent’s arms, a wide smile spreading across her face. And just like that, I found myself back in the delivery room on that fateful day once more. I jolted awake from a haze of pain, only to find a pool of blood soaking the sheets. I had been reborn. Just then, my husband, Vincent, burst through the door and froze at the sight of me. Panic etched across his face, he rushed to my side. “Lillian, it looks like you’re going into labor! I’ll call an ambulance right away. Just stay put; I’ll take care of everything.” In my past life, he had said the same thing, and I had believed him, trusting that he would handle it all. But I hadn’t anticipated that he would turn around and tell the doctor not to give me anesthesia, leading me to endure a torturous C-section that ultimately cost me my life. This time around, I was determined to seize control of my fate. I gripped his shirt; my voice strained with urgency. “Please, call my parents and let them know what’s happening.” Vincent shot up, irritation flashing in his eyes. “What do you need to call them for? I don’t want to worry them. I’ll take you myself, and that’s enough.” After dialing for the ambulance, he settled down on the edge of the bed, lighting a cigarette as if waiting for a casual visit rather than the arrival of our children. I was in so much agony that I couldn’t even move. I desperately reached for my phone on the bedside table, but Vincent quickly snatched it away from me. His annoyance deepened. “What are you doing? I told you, no need to call anyone. You’ve got me here to support you through this.” With all the strength I could muster, I replied, “My parents raised me. Now that I’m about to have my babies, I want them by my side. It would make me feel so much better.” Vincent slowly placed my phone on the far side of the room, out of my reach. “You don’t need to call them. It’s just two babies, Lillian. You’re not a kid anymore; you don’t need your mom and dad holding your hand.” Frustrated and feeling trapped, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I slipped out of bed, but in my weakened state, I lost my balance and fell to the floor. Vincent rushed over to help me up, his face devoid of concern. “Just sit tight and wait for the ambulance. Why are you moving around so much?” I pushed his hand away, my voice icy. “Why don’t you check to see if the ambulance has arrived?” He shot me a glare. “It’ll come when it comes. I don’t need to check.” I retorted, “What if they’re at the door right now? Go see what’s taking so long. It won’t kill you to check!” With a huff of frustration, Vincent stormed out of the room. Seizing the opportunity, I crawled over to the table, grabbed my phone, and dialed my mom. I strained to speak, “Mom, I’m in labor. You and Dad need to get to the hospital ASAP. I’ll be there in a minute.” Before I could hear her response, my strength gave out, and the phone slipped from my grasp, crashing to the floor as darkness enveloped me.

When I regained consciousness, I found myself in the hospital, having been rushed there by the ambulance. In my previous life, my parents hadn’t been informed, leaving Vincent as the only one by my side during my delivery. Back then, the doctor had informed us that my twins were too large for a natural birth. Vincent had simply replied, “We never planned on a natural delivery anyway. Let’s go straight to a C-section.” The doctor nodded and prepared for the procedure, handing Vincent the consent form for anesthesia. Vincent glanced at the paper and asked, “This is voluntary, right? If I don’t pay for it, you won’t use it?” The doctor paused, taken aback. “What do you mean? There’s no way to skip the anesthesia. This is a C-section! If you don’t use it, she’ll be in excruciating pain. Sign it quickly; we can’t delay the operation.” Vincent, however, tossed the form back at the doctor. “No anesthesia. She’s allergic to it.” The doctor’s disbelief was palpable. “Just sign it. We’ll assess which anesthetic is suitable. It’s impossible for her to be allergic to every single one!” Vincent stood firm. “She’s been tested before; she’s allergic to all anesthetics. If you don’t follow my instructions and something goes wrong, who’s responsible? “If she dies from the pain, it’s a complication of childbirth, not your fault. It’s on her.” The doctor was visibly shocked, likely unable to fathom such a callous statement from a pregnant woman’s husband. As the standoff continued over the consent form, the lead surgeon impatiently took the paper away. “Let the family make the decisions. We can’t make choices for them.” With that, the doctor proceeded to cut open my abdomen, and my screams echoed through the entire floor. At that moment, as my children were pulled from me, I took my last breath. After my death, my children became mere pawns in Vincent’s game, destined to be raised by his mistress, Nancy. From the very start, Vincent had intended for me to die on that operating table to provide her with a family. My spirit floated back home, where I saw Nancy cradling my children in Vincent’s embrace. He held her close, a smile on his face as he said, “Now you can rightfully be my wife. You won’t have to suffer through childbirth, and you can step right into the role of mother.” Snapping back to reality, I vowed that this time would be different. I wouldn’t let history repeat itself. As I lay there in pain, my eyes closed, I could hear my parents’ worried voices approaching. My mother, Miranda Miller, was frantically calling for the doctor, “Hurry! My daughter is in labor! Get her into surgery right away! I want the best doctor available!”

Once the doctors prepared for my surgery, the same situation unfolded as in my previous life—the consent form for anesthesia was needed again. This time, my mother, Miranda, rushed to grab the form, but the doctor stopped her. “You’re the patient’s mother, right? This decision should be made by the husband; he’s the primary guardian.” It was disheartening to realize that my fate rested in the hands of a man who didn’t love me and to whom I had no blood ties. Vincent snatched the form and glanced at it dismissively. “We’re not signing anything. Just go straight to the C-section.” Miranda’s eyes widened in shock. “What did you just say? Not using anesthesia for a C-section will kill her!” Vincent shrugged, unfazed. “Anesthesia isn’t good for the baby. The twins could be exceptional, and I won’t let a little anesthesia ruin that. Lillian can tough it out; she can recover afterward.” Miranda grabbed Vincent’s arm, her voice trembling. “Vincent, how can you be so heartless? Is this how you treat my daughter?” Back then, Vincent had been so attentive. He stood outside in freezing temperatures all night to apologize, and when he caught a fever for three days, he grinned like a child, saying, “Thank you for forgiving me; it was worth it.” I had been so moved that I insisted on marrying him despite my parents’ protests. They didn’t approve of him, but I was blinded by love and ended up arguing with them. Yet after we married, everything changed. Vincent treated me like a housekeeper, neglecting me and often not even coming home to sleep. I never told my parents about the hardships I faced; they had no idea how miserable I was. Miranda wrestled the consent form back, determined to sign it herself. The doctor sighed, caught in the middle, “I understand your concern, but since her husband is here, he must sign.” He handed the form back to Vincent. “Please sign quickly; a C-section without anesthesia could endanger your wife’s life!” If anything, those words seemed to solidify Vincent’s resolve. “I said no signing! How can you not understand? “I know my wife better than anyone. She’s allergic to anesthesia. If anything goes wrong because of it, who’s responsible?” The doctor was taken aback, and Miranda frowned, clearly worried. My father, Ryan Miller, pushed Vincent aside, his voice cold. “How could I not know my daughter is allergic to anesthesia? Are you deliberately trying to make her suffer?” To everyone’s surprise, Vincent pulled out a document proving my allergies to various anesthetics.

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My name was Alice Langley. In front of the filming crew and me, my fiancé, Eric Roberts, was flirting with his deaf assistant, Edith Accola, surrounded by a group of hearing-impaired children. “Ms. Accola, is he your boyfriend?” one eager child asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity. Edith blushed, a shy smile spreading across her face as she gestured for Eric to respond. He hesitated, glancing at me before turning back to the kids, signing, “Yes.” “When are you two getting married? We want some wedding candy!” another child piped up, bouncing with excitement. Eric grinned, his hands moving with confidence as he signed back, “Absolutely! I’ll bring you all to the wedding next week, and there will be plenty of candy!” His signs were quick and precise, showing no sign of the three months learning. Meanwhile, I, the so-called proper fiancée, felt like a complete outsider, a clown in this heartwarming scene. Later, when the charity video was released, chaos erupted at the wedding venue. Eric was frantically searching for me, his expression a mix of panic and concern. ***** With Eric’s affirmative response, a group of children erupted into laughter and excitement, surrounding Edith and him. Edith shot me a triumphant glance over the crowd, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction. As I watched the lively and heartwarming scene unfold, my throat tightened, and I felt a wave of emotion wash over me. I couldn’t even recall how many times Eric had flirted with Edith in front of me using sign language. Ever since Edith had saved Eric from his deafness and accidentally discovered that I was fluent in sign language—something Eric was unaware of—she had turned their flirtation into a weapon against me. What once might have been a subtle concern had now become a blatant display, even in front of the cameras. As I was lost in my thoughts, Eric took a step closer. “Alice, what are you thinking about?” he asked, concern etched on his face. “I was wondering what your sign language meant just now,” I replied, looking up into his eyes. He shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze. “Oh, it was nothing. “The kids were just asking when we’d come back to see them, and I told them we’d come after the wedding,” he said, his hands fidgeting with his watch—a telltale sign that he was lying. Before I could respond, he turned and hurried back to catch up with Edith. A little girl named Mia Queen, who had been snuggled up to me, tilted her head in confusion and signed. “Ms. Langley, didn’t you just say he is your fiancé? Aren’t you getting married soon?” I fought back tears and replied earnestly in sign language, “Not anymore, Mia. Promise me you won’t tell anyone about what happened today, okay?” After the event, Edith refused to leave with us, wanting to spend more time with the children. Eric glanced back multiple times, reluctant to get into the car. As soon as he opened the car door, I caught a whiff of the jasmine scent I despised. I couldn’t help but frown. “That’s a homemade air freshener from Edith and the kids. I thought it was nice, so I hung it up,” Eric said casually. But I remembered how I had wanted to use a calming scent for motion sickness, only to have Eric veto it because he didn’t like any smells in the car. The ride back felt tense and quiet. The mountain air was chilly, and just as I was about to grab Eric’s floral Winnie-the-Pooh blanket from the back seat to cover myself, he refused. “That blanket belongs to Edith. She doesn’t like anyone touching her things. If you’re cold, I can just turn up the heat,” he said, his expression calm as if this was completely normal. I turned to him, puzzled. “Why is her stuff in your car? We’re about to get married, Eric. “What’s going on? The air freshener, the lipstick, the blanket, the perfume—all of it belongs to Edith. “What kind of assistant uses her boss’ car like it’s her own?” I could see impatience creeping across Eric’s face at my questions. “Alice, why are you being so sensitive right now? Edith helped me with my hearing loss. Shouldn’t I take care of her a little? “This is my car, and you’re poking your nose into everything. It’s suffocating!” His words punched me hard in the gut.

When we were dating, Eric insisted that I keep a close eye on him, taking pride in the fact that it gave him a sense of security. But now, he said I was suffocating him? The mountain road was bumpy, and the temperature in the car was rising. Eric’s words made my stomach churn. “Where’s my peppermint spray?” I asked, rummaging through my bag, trying to recall where I had last seen it. “Edith used it last time. She thought it was too strong, so she threw it away. Why do you need it?” he replied nonchalantly. In the past, whenever I felt even a hint of motion sickness, Eric would spring into action—opening windows for fresh air and rubbing my back to help me relax. He had even scoured the market to find the perfect peppermint spray to ease my symptoms. But now, that special treatment had been handed over to Edith. I fought to suppress my rising anger. “That was mine! Why does she get to just toss it aside?” Suddenly, Eric slammed on the brakes, and I was thrust forward, my forehead crashing against the windshield. A painful bump immediately formed. “Enough, Alice! You were distracted at the event today, and now you’re nitpicking at Edith. What’s going on with you?” Eric snapped, his brows furrowing as he defended her. Clearly, my motion sickness and the bump on my head were nothing compared to my complaints about Edith. I shook my throbbing head, ready to respond, when Edith’s ringtone blared through the car. “Mr. Roberts, Ms. Accola just broke a toenail while playing games with the kids. We don’t have a first-aid kit here. You need to come quickly!” “Mr. Roberts, my foot hurts so much, and it’s bleeding! I’m so scared!” Edith wailed on the other end, her sobs echoing through the car. The moment Eric heard that she was bleeding, his face drained of color. “Okay, just keep her calm. She hates pain, and with her hearing gone, she’s really scared. I’ll turn around right now!” Here we go again. I knew Edith wouldn’t let me and Eric have our moment of peace. Rubbing my forehead, I said quietly, “Turn around.” To my shock, Eric told me to get out of the car. “Alice, be reasonable. Edith is hurt and needs someone with her. There’s no room in the car, and since you’re feeling sick, it’s better if you get out and walk for a bit. I promise I’ll be back to pick you up as soon as I get her to the hospital.” I stared at him in disbelief. “You want me to walk back down the mountain alone in the dark?” My voice trembled, but it didn’t seem to stir any sympathy in Eric. A minute later, I stood by the roadside in my thin workout clothes, watching as Eric sped off toward the welfare center, urgency written all over his face.

The next morning, I limped home, my clothes torn and dirty, and my feet blistered and bleeding. As soon as I opened the door, I was met with the sight of Eric giving Edith a massage. He was so focused on his task that he didn’t even notice me enter. Edith, draped in my own pajamas, had one of her legs casually resting on Eric’s shoulder. She looked at me with a smug smile, as if to challenge me. I slammed the door shut, startling Eric. “Alice, what are you doing back?” he asked, immediately pushing Edith’s leg off him, his face a mix of surprise and awkwardness as he started to come over to help me. But Edith cut in before he could reach me. “Alice, I know you’re upset that Mr. Roberts came back for me last night. But honestly, you don’t need to make yourself look so miserable. If you don’t like me, I can just leave.” With that, she feigned a pitiful struggle to get up. “Oh!” she exclaimed, and then she “accidentally” fell into Eric’s arms. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her, concern etched on his face. The two of them completely ignored me, engrossed in their own world, communicating in sign language as if I were invisible. I took a deep breath, turned on my heel, and headed to the guest room. I changed out of my filthy clothes and plugged my phone in to charge. As soon as it powered up, I saw a video from Edith waiting for me. “Mr. Roberts, are you really willing to have a wedding with me?” In the video, Edith’s face lit up with anticipation, her signs filled with joy. Kneeling in front of her, Eric looked at her with deep affection. “Edith, even though I can’t legally marry you, I promise I’ll make sure your wedding happens!” “Then I want my wedding to be on the same day as Alice’s! I want to go right after hers, and I want to bring all the kids from the welfare center. Everything about my wedding has to be just like Alice’s, but a little less fancy!” “Okay, okay, whatever you want, you silly girl,” Eric replied, smiling softly as he playfully pinched her nose. ***** I shut my eyes and pressed the power button, tears streaming down my face. Last night, I had walked alone along the mountain path, terrified and trying to avoid a reckless driver, only to tumble down and hurt myself. Meanwhile, Eric and Edith were at my house, exchanging sweet nothings. When I returned, Eric didn’t even bother to ask how I had managed to make it home alone with my phone dead. And now, he was planning two weddings. It was utterly ridiculous! The man Eric had become was a far cry from the one who once vowed he would marry no one but me. Ever since Edith joined the company, Eric had been vocal about her. At first, he complained about Edith, expressing his disdain and warning me to keep an eye on her, as if she were trying to steal him away. But that quickly shifted to praise and admiration. Eric would talk about how capable and resourceful Edith was. It all began three months ago when Edith and Eric took a client diving. During the excursion, Eric’s oxygen tank slipped from his grasp, and in a moment of heroism, Edith risked her life to save him, suffering permanent hearing loss in the process. Ever since that day, Eric hadn’t mentioned her name in my presence. I had been trying to convince myself it was all just gratitude. I ignored the constant stream of messages from Edith flaunting Eric’s affection for her and the way they flirted in sign language right in front of me. I had thought I could endure this. But everything that happened today shattered that illusion.   By the time I finished my call with Laird Borden, night had fallen. Laird lived right across from my house, and I had been raised by my grandmother. When we were kids, I taught myself sign language to help care for Laird’s deaf grandmother. But after moving away, we lost touch. Now, Laird was thriving abroad and had repeatedly invited me to join him as the chief designer. Initially, I considered it, wanting to be there for my grandmother in her final days. But then Eric proposed again, and I pushed those thoughts aside. I never imagined that after all this, I would still be leaving. As I stepped into my bedroom, I glanced around and noticed how much was missing. “Where are my paintings?” I asked, my heart sinking. “They were too abstract, and Edith was scared of them, so I got rid of them,” Eric replied, shrugging it off as if it were nothing. Once upon a time, Eric had treasured those paintings. The inspiration for his gaming company’s flagship mobile game had come from my artwork. It was my creativity that had helped him soar to success. Eric had promised that one day, those paintings would be framed and cherished, a testament to our love and shared journey. Now, just because Edith was afraid, he had tossed them aside like yesterday’s news. The memories of our struggles together felt like a cruel joke. Seeing my silence, Eric pressed on. “Alice, since Edith hurt her foot and has no one to look after her, I’ve let her stay in our master bedroom for a few days. You won’t mind, right?” He watched me carefully, as if afraid I might refuse. After all, just last night, I had argued with him over Edith. “Do as you please,” I replied, my tone flat. I decided not to escalate the argument. Eric’s relief was palpable. He wrapped his arms around me, leaning in for a kiss on my cheek, but I turned my head away. Unfazed, he suggested I get ready, promising to accompany me to try on wedding dresses later. Amidst all the turmoil, I had nearly forgotten about the wedding dress I had designed myself. Even though I had decided to leave, it felt right to destroy the gown I had poured my heart into. When we arrived at the bridal shop, Eric went off to park the car while I contacted a salesperson. Just as I finished giving them the name of my dress, I noticed a change in the clerk’s expression. “Ms. Langley, there was a woman who insisted on trying on this dress just a moment ago. I called the number you left, and the gentleman on the other end said it was okay for you to try it on. However, that lady is still in there. Let me take you inside.” As the fitting room door swung open, I was met with the sight of Edith in my meticulously designed wedding dress, posing in front of the mirror and snapping photos. I felt my hands tremble with rage. I was about to march over and demand she take it off when Eric, who had just arrived, caught my arm. The reflection in the mirror captured the moment as Edith, still clad in my gown, walked straight toward us. I couldn’t miss the flicker of admiration in Eric’s eyes as he took in the sight of her. All the pent-up frustration I had been holding onto suddenly dissipated.   “Take off that wedding dress in three minutes, or don’t blame me for losing my temper.” I delivered the ultimatum calmly before turning on my heel and sitting down at the reception desk. A few minutes later, Eric appeared, looking contrite, with a sulking Edith in tow. “Okay, Alice, I admit it’s partly my fault. Edith just loves your designs; she only wanted to try it on. Don’t be so petty about it. I’ve already agreed to marry you, so let’s not sweat the small stuff.” The subtext in his words suggested that this whole wedding was my one-sided push for a commitment. But it was he who had solemnly proposed to me three months ago by the sea in front of everyone. I knew Eric’s apology wasn’t genuine; it was merely a way to keep me from taking my frustration out on Edith. When I remained silent, Eric exchanged a glance with Edith, who stomped her foot in frustration before storming off. “Alice, the wedding is just around the corner. I’ve arranged everything at the hotel. You need to get back and get ready to look stunning as my bride tomorrow,” he said, his tone urgent. As soon as he finished, he made a hasty excuse about needing to handle something for work and rushed away. I understood—he was off to placate Edith. I grabbed my carefully packaged wedding dress and left the shop under the watchful eye of the staff. Arriving at the hotel Eric had booked for the wedding; I took a look around. Sure enough, the style and decor matched perfectly with the photos Edith had just posted on social media—only my venue was smaller, and the floral arrangements fewer. It was indeed a notch below hers. I let out a self-deprecating laugh, dropped the bag containing my wedding dress, and meticulously checked all the documents before heading to the airport. As soon as my plane landed, my phone rang. “Alice, where are you? You’re not in your room! Have you not changed into your wedding dress yet? Everyone’s waiting for you!” Eric’s voice was laced with urgency. He knew that if I took too long, he might miss the next event. I could hear him rummaging through things on the other end of the line. “Alice, why is your wedding dress torn and thrown in the trash? Where are you?” His voice suddenly shot up an octave. Before I could respond, a gasp came through the phone. I heard the sound of a video playing. “Renowned artist Alice Langley and Eric Roberts, CEO of the Roberts Group, are attending a charity event for hearing-impaired children. We see Ms. Langley engaging joyfully in sign language with the kids, creating a heartwarming scene…” It was the promotional video from the charity event I had arranged to be released today, perfectly timed to coincide with my departure. The line fell silent. A few seconds later, Eric’s trembling voice broke through the quiet. “Alice, you know sign language?”

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My name was Felicity Simons, and I was a foster child of the Gellar family. Growing up, the twin brothers Ryan and Logan Gellar lavished me with affection, treating me like a princess and playfully arguing over who would marry me when we got older. But everything changed when Rebecca Amore and I were abducted. The kidnappers made it clear they could only save one of us, and without hesitation, they threw me to the wolves. “As long as Rebecca Amore is safe, you can do whatever you want with Felicity.” “Felicity’s tough; she can handle the pain. But Rebecca is delicate—she can’t take any harm.” They cast me aside, sacrificing me for Rebecca’s life. I fought through the agony of my injuries and managed to escape. The very first thing I did was call Vincent Gellar, their father, my heart racing as the phone rang. “I’m ready to accept the marriage alliance with the Anderson family.” I crawled home from the kidnappers’ den, my hands and feet raw and bleeding. My heart shattered into a million pieces as I saw Ryan and Logan lounging on the couch, casually giving Rebecca a leg massage. While I was fighting for my life on the brink of death, not a single one of them cared about my well-being. I stood at the door for what felt like an eternity until Logan finally noticed me. He raised his chin slightly and let out a laugh that seemed out of place. “See? I told you she’d be back within twenty-four hours. She’s always been crafty and full of tricks. Kidnappers? Please, she could handle that like it’s child’s play. Ryan, I win the bet; your sports car is mine now.” They were twins—Ryan, the older brother, and Logan, the younger one. Ryan groaned in frustration. “Damn it, if I had known she’d come back this quickly, I wouldn’t have taken that bet. I thought she’d drag it out a bit longer.” My voice trembled with anger. “Why didn’t you come to save me?” I had endured a whole day of torture at the hands of kidnappers, my body bruised and battered. If I hadn’t managed to sneak the keys, I might not be standing here now. At that moment, Rebecca coughed softly from the couch. The brothers immediately turned their attention to her, fussing over her with coffee and water. Logan suddenly shot me a glare. “This is all your fault, Felicity. You knew Rebecca wasn’t well and still dragged her around, making her catch a chill. Look at her legs—they’re swollen!” Ryan added, “If she gets any worse, you’re going to pay for it!” I was completely lost. It was Rebecca who insisted on going out, claiming she wanted to see some fireworks. Instead, we ended up in a remote area and got kidnapped. I mused, “I’m the victim here! Why is everyone blaming me?” “That’s not true! She was the one who wanted to go out; I was just…” I gasped, the pain tightening in my chest as I spoke. Suddenly, Rebecca interrupted me, sitting up weakly on the couch, clutching Ryan and Logan’s hands tightly. Her pale face looked ready to crumble, tears welling up in her eyes. “Please don’t blame Felicity; it’s my fault. I grew up with no one to care for me, barely enough to eat, and my health has always been poor. I couldn’t escape on my own, and that’s why she suffered with me. “It’s all my fault; if you’re going to blame someone, blame me.” As she cried, Ryan and Logan’s expressions softened, their brows furrowing in concern as they rushed to wipe her tears away. Ryan said, “Rebecca, you’re too sweet; it’s not your fault at all.” Logan chimed in, “Yeah! We know you’re kind-hearted, but don’t defend Felicity. We know her well enough. She’s always been selfish, never thinking of anyone but herself. “Everything she went through today is just what she deserves. But you, Rebecca, you’re different. You’re kind and pure, and you deserve nothing but the best.” With each word they spoke, my heart sank deeper. I mused, “Why is this happening?” They used to dote on me so much. Ever since I was taken in by the Gellar family, they cared for me with such tenderness, treating me like I was their whole world. Whatever I wanted, I’d have it by the next day. They fought over who would marry me when we grew up, even brawling over it more than once. Then Rebecca came along, the second foster child of the Gellar family. At first, they didn’t like her at all. I had to spend countless hours convincing them of her worth, bringing her along everywhere, trying to help them accept her. Eventually, they did accept her, but with that acceptance came a complete shift in their affection. All the love they once showered on me was redirected to her, and their attitude towards me changed dramatically. Now, it felt like I didn’t even recognize them anymore.

Hobbling back to my room, I knelt beside the bed, my bloodstained hands shaking as I dialed Vincent’s number. “Dad, about that marriage alliance you mentioned—I’m ready to go through with it.” Vincent was a busy man, mostly engrossed in his work. To him, raising a foster daughter was just a means to an end, driven by business interests. “Good girl, that’s the right choice. Once you’re wed to the Anderson family, I’ll ensure you have a generous dowry. You’ll never have to worry about money again.” That was enough for me. I just wanted to escape, to put as much distance as possible between me and the three of them. It took me over an hour to scrub the blood and grime off my body. The moment the water hit my wounds, sharp, searing pain shot through me. That night was a whirlwind of nightmares. I kept reliving the moment Ryan and Logan had pushed me toward the kidnappers, trading my life for Rebecca’s. They had sneered that I was tough, while Rebecca was fragile. That was why they decided not to save me, gently cradling Rebecca as they whisked her away. She hadn’t even gotten her dress dirty. And I? I was left to endure wave after wave of torment. In the dead of night, a searing pain shot through my chest, and I doubled over, coughing up blood. I managed to call for an ambulance, throwing on some clothes as I stumbled down the stairs. Just as I reached the bottom step, I heard Rebecca’s voice call out softly behind me. “Felicity, where are you going so late?” She floated toward me like a ghost, moving silently in the dim light. I ignored her, determined to keep walking, but she laughed from behind. “Are you really going to pretend you don’t hear me?” Without warning, she yanked my arm and screamed, “Help! Help me!” Before I knew it, Ryan and Logan burst through their bedroom doors. In an instant, Rebecca and I swapped places; she held on tight as she yanked me down the stairs. My feet left the ground, and I tumbled down, pain erupting in my body as I landed, blood spewing from my mouth. Logan reached me just in time, catching Rebecca effortlessly in his arms as she feigned distress. “Ryan, I think I twisted my ankle. It hurts so much!” Rebecca cried, her voice dripping with false innocence. Ryan dropped to the floor, his hands working to soothe her. With each rub, she winced and cried out, “That hurts, Logan! Stop it, please…” Ryan and Logan’s anger flared. Ryan sprinted down the steps, eyes blazing as he kicked me hard in the stomach. “You venomous witch! What did Rebecca ever do to you that you’d want to hurt her like this?” Logan, still holding Rebecca, glared at me. “With jealousy like yours, you deserve nothing but misery.” I curled into a ball on the floor, my body convulsing from the impact, unable to utter a single word. Outside, I heard the distant sirens of the ambulance approaching. I struggled to focus, my fingers digging into the carpet, desperate to pull myself up. But Logan stepped down, pinning my hand beneath his foot. Blood gushed from my wound, and I gasped, “Please, let me go…” His voice dripped with disdain. “What makes you think you deserve a ride in an ambulance? If you want to get to the hospital, crawl there yourself.” With that, they carried Rebecca out, leaving me behind, a writhing mess on the floor. The sirens faded into the night as darkness swallowed me whole.

When I finally regained consciousness, I found myself in a hospital room. It was the maid who had come in for her morning shift that discovered me. Two of my ribs were broken, and my body was covered in various wounds. The doctor warned me that one of my ribs had nearly punctured my heart. I had come so close to never opening my eyes again. A nurse, her face filled with concern, leaned in. “Do you have a family member I can call for you? You’re going to need someone now that you’re so weak.” I managed a faint smile, though it felt hollow. “Thanks, but I don’t have anyone.” My mind flashed back to the very same family that had turned their backs on me not so long ago. They had chosen to let me die while they cursed me to my fate. Exhausted, I closed my eyes again. Moments later, another nurse entered, talking softly with a coworker. “Hey, I just saw the most incredible pair of twins in the next room. They are stunning! I almost asked for their numbers.” “Why didn’t you?” the other nurse asked, intrigued. “Ugh, they’re definitely not single. They were hovering over this girl, feeding her by hand. When I told them she was fine, they shot me dirty looks.” My heart twinged painfully at their words. I mused, “Why does she have to waltz in and take everything from me so effortlessly?” After what felt like an eternity, the IV drips were finally done, and I was allowed to get up and go to the restroom. My bladder had been holding on for far too long, creating an uncomfortable pressure. Of course, I couldn’t rush—I could only move slowly, inching my way to the door. But as I reached the threshold, I looked up to find Ryan and Logan standing guard, blocking my way like sentinels. I tried to sidestep them, but Ryan stuck his arm out to stop me. “What’s the matter? Are you blind or mute? Can’t you see us? You’d think the Gellar family raised you better than this. Real classy, Felicity.” Logan crossed his arms, a mocking smile on his face. “Seriously, you can’t expect everyone to be as clever as Rebecca.” Ryan scoffed, saying, “Don’t put me in the same league as her. She’s not worthy of the comparison.” I felt my fists tighten and gritted my teeth. “Is that all you have to say?” The discomfort in my abdomen was overwhelming, leaving me with no patience for their taunts. “If you’re done, can you move? You shouldn’t linger around the ladies’ room like this. You might give someone the wrong idea.” With a frustrated shove, I pushed Ryan’s hand away, clutching my stomach as I tried to walk past them. But Logan had other plans; he stuck out a foot, and before I knew it, I was tripping over him, landing hard on the cold, unforgiving floor. “Ah!” The sharp pain in my chest and abdomen made me cry out, tears streaming down my face as I struggled to catch my breath. I felt like a stranded fish, flopping helplessly on the floor. Logan’s laughter cut through the air, cruel and unrelenting. “Oh, look at you! You really know how to play the victim. Why don’t you just stay down there?” Just then, Rebecca emerged from the restroom, looking down at me. With a casual flick of her wrist, she splashed water from her hands onto my hair. “Oh, Felicity! What are you doing on the floor? Do you need a hand?” The moment she stepped out, Ryan and Logan surged toward her like dogs drawn to a bone. Without a second thought, Ryan scooped her up, grinning. “Let her have her moment. Ignore her, Rebecca. She’s always got something scheming in her mind. You, on the other hand, are too sweet for her games.” Logan parsed over, his concern exaggerated. “So, Rebecca, how’s that foot of yours? Still hurting?” Rebecca pouted playfully. “It still hurts a lot. Will you rub it for me? I heard that helps!” The brothers hovered around her, eager to oblige, each trying to outdo the other as they fawned over her. They exchanged flirtatious banter while I lay on the ground, writhing in pain. It felt as if my whole body were shaking apart. Just when I thought I might pass out, the nurse from before rushed over, clearly alarmed, and helped me back to my feet. I choked, blood rising in my throat, and spat out another mouthful.   The nurse, clearly flustered, called for help. Ryan glanced down at me with a dismissive air and said to the nurse, “Are you a doctor? What’s with your eyesight? Can’t you tell she’s just putting on a show?” The nurse shot back, her voice laced with anger. “What kind of eyes do you have? Her limbs and organs are damaged! She’s in real pain—why don’t you try pretending to be hurt?” For a brief moment, they exchanged a look, a silence hanging between them. But I didn’t have the energy to focus on their exchange; I leaned heavily on the nurse’s shoulder, waiting for someone to arrive. As the minutes dragged on, the pain became unbearable. Logan, as if suddenly struck by a sense of guilt, reluctantly crouched down beside me, reaching out. “Come on, it’s just a little discomfort. You’re really milking this, aren’t you?” But before his hand could touch me, I swatted it away with a fierce motion. My eyes blazed with fury as I shouted, “Get away from me! Don’t you dare touch me!” They were the ones responsible for my suffering. I didn’t need their fake pity. Logan’s expression darkened, and he muttered a curse under his breath, “Oh, so you’ve got some guts now, huh, Felicity? You think you can hit me and get away with it? Fine, just know that if you end up in trouble, I won’t lift a finger to help you.” Just as he finished speaking, a tall figure strode over from a distance. He bent down carefully and lifted me off the ground. I caught a whiff of his pleasant, woody scent, and at that moment, my frazzled nerves began to settle. Logan, blocking our path, demanded, “Who are you?” The smooth, deep voice that carried an air of authority came. “I’m her fiancé, Oliver Anderson. Move aside.” At the mention of his name, both Ryan and Logan flinched, instinctively stepping aside. Oliver carried me a few paces away, and I could still hear Ryan seething behind us. “When did she get involved with the Anderson family? Ha, I underestimated her. She’s quite the manipulator, isn’t she?” It seemed they were wary of my fiancé, which only made me more determined to be with him. Oliver and I weren’t strangers. Ever since I turned eighteen, Vincent had been orchestrating opportunities for me to interact with him, all while keeping Ryan and Logan in the dark. They had been overly protective, forbidding me from associating with any other guys. Once I realized Vincent’s intentions, I started to resist. It had been nearly two years since I last saw Oliver, yet he remained just as charming as ever. “Oliver, thank you for coming to my aid,” I whispered, my voice barely above a breath as I lay on the hospital bed. He sat beside me, looking deeply into my eyes before tucking the blanket around me. “No need to thank me. Just focus on resting; I’ll be on my way.” As he turned to leave, I reached out with trembling fingers, catching his hand gently. “Could you wait a moment?” His fingers stiffened slightly. “Sure,” he replied, settling back down with a patient demeanor. I gathered my thoughts, hesitating before speaking, “We’re going to get married, right?”   Oliver paused for a few seconds before nodding. “Yes.” Then he continued, “This is essentially a union between two families, but if you’re truly unwilling, I won’t force you into it.” Panic gripped me at the thought of rejection. “No, I want this! I definitely want this.” I was desperate to escape my current situation, and if I had to leverage a “marriage” to find my worth, Oliver was my top choice. Perhaps my eagerness surprised him; he looked down and chuckled, a hint of astonishment in his tone. “I thought you hated me.” “Why would you think that?” I asked, genuinely confused. “Two years ago, I thought you agreed to meet me. I waited for you for ages, but you never showed up.” There was an almost imperceptible note of disappointment in his voice. Suddenly, memories flooded back. I remembered that day vividly. Two years ago, I had considered him a friend, so when I received his invitation for dinner, I eagerly accepted. But that day, Logan had fallen ill. He cried and begged me to stay with him, refusing to see a doctor otherwise. That evening, Vincent had found me and insisted I charm Oliver. It was then that I first grasped the harsh reality of my situation. I understood that I was merely a pawn in someone else’s game. I didn’t want to live like that, so I rebelled, resisted, and sought to change my fate. From that day on, I avoided Oliver completely. I hadn’t anticipated the misunderstanding it would create. “I never hated you. I was just too young and naive back then, thinking I could fight against my destiny. I’m sorry, Oliver, for not showing up that day.” It felt like a long-overdue apology. Oliver gently ruffled my hair, his tone softening. “It’s alright. I forgive you.” I grasped his hand, my eyes pleading. “So when are we having the wedding?” “Are you in such a hurry?” he asked. “I want to do it as soon as possible. Is that okay?” Oliver squeezed my hand, his warmth seeping into me. “Absolutely.” During my hospital stay, Oliver visited me every day. On the day I was discharged, he was there to pick me up. He had clearly taken my words to heart; I had mentioned wanting to get married quickly, and by the time I left the hospital, he had already arranged the engagement party. Dressed in a pure white gown and with my makeup perfectly done, I entered the venue on Oliver’s arm. My eyes immediately landed on Ryan, Logan, and Rebecca. Ryan and Logan wore expressions that were hard to read, a mix of disbelief and disdain. Rebecca stood between them, one arm linked with each, looking like a princess in her poofy dress. Although I was one of the stars of this engagement party, Oliver, concerned about me getting tired, led me through a quick introduction before letting me rest on the sidelines. I hadn’t been seated for long when Ryan appeared behind me, gripping my arm and dragging me out of the banquet hall. Logan was waiting outside, and they formed a wall around me. “What’s the meaning of this?” I protested, trying to push them away. Ryan scoffed and said, “Seriously, Felicity? You just got out of the hospital, and you’re already rushing to get married? Are you that desperate to find a husband? You really are cheap.” Logan toyed with the hem of my gown, a mocking smile plastered on his face, similar to Ryan’s. “Or did Oliver give you something in return? “Money, a house, or… has he slept with you?”

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